CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Departmental Billing

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what mechanism his Department has established to ensure its payments are passed through the supply chain to each tier in accordance with the last date for payment defined in the Government's Fair Payment guidance.

John Penrose: The Department does not hold information on the time taken by its contractors (tier one suppliers) to pay their sub-contractors (tier two suppliers). We remain committed to paying invoices to tier one suppliers within five working days. We are a signatory to the Prompt Payment Code and continue to work closely with our tier one suppliers to ensure that the benefits are felt throughout the supply chain by:
	reviewing payment performance at meetings with suppliers as part of the standard contract management process;
	ensuring all new contracts with tier one suppliers include a provision requiring the tier one supplier to pay the tier two supplier within 30 days; and
	enabling tier two suppliers to report any concerns they feel have not been adequately addressed direct to the Department or via the Office of Government Commerce's supplier feedback process.

Departmental Data Protection

Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many contracts his Department holds which allow contractors to store personal data of UK citizens overseas; to which contracts this applies; in which countries the data for each such contract is held; and how many people have their data stored overseas under each such contract.

John Penrose: The Department hold no contracts of this nature.

Telecommunications: Hearing Impairment

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the adequacy of text relay services for British Sign Language users.

Edward Vaizey: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has made no assessment of the adequacy of text relay services for British Sign Language users.
	Under revisions to the EU Electronic Communications which are currently being implemented by DCMS, Ofcom will be able to specify, where appropriate, requirements to ensure that disabled end-users:
	(a) have access to electronic communications services equivalent to that enjoyed by the majority of end-users; and
	(b) benefit from the choice of undertakings and services available to the majority of end-users.
	To this end, Ofcom are currently undertaking a review of relay services, the objective of which is to assess whether current arrangements for the provision of relay services are adequate in delivering equivalence to voice telephony for hearing and speech impaired end-users (including BSL users). Ofcom expect to publish a consultation document this summer, and a research report which helps inform the review was published on 4 February and can be read at:
	http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/market-data-research/telecoms-research/ofcom-relay-services/

Telecommunications: Hearing Impairment

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated any cost-benefit analysis of introducing a universal video relay service.

Edward Vaizey: The Department has not commissioned, nor evaluated, any cost benefit analysis on the introduction of a universal video relay service.
	Ofcom are currently undertaking a review of relay services, the objective of which is to assess whether current arrangements for the provision of relay services are adequate in delivering equivalence to voice telephony for hearing (including BSL users) and speech impaired end-users. Ofcom expect to publish a consultation document this summer. This review will involve looking at, among other things, the existing text relay service and additional relay services including video relay and captioned telephony. It will include a cost benefit analysis of the options.
	Ofcom commissioned research to help inform this review and a report was published on 4 February and can be read at:
	http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/market-data-research/telecoms-research/ofcom-relay-services/
	However, any decision on relay services will have to be made following a process of review, consultation, cost benefit analysis and a proportionality test.

Television: Local Broadcasting

Douglas Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the potential number of jobs to be created from the establishment of a new national television spine for local television.

Edward Vaizey: The local TV framework that will eventually be put in place will enable the growth of a new market that will employ a range of people to commission, produce and operate local TV services.

Television: Local Broadcasting

Douglas Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport by what date he expects the new national television spine for local television to be in place; and if he will make a statement.

Edward Vaizey: A statement on next steps and timetable for implementation will be made in due course.

Television: Local Broadcasting

Douglas Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport which organisations have submitted bids to operate a new national television spine supporting local television.

Edward Vaizey: The Local Media Action Plan published in January 2010 invited informal expressions of interest as part of a two stage consultation process. This was not a bidding process. A list of those who responded is available on the Department for Culture, Media and Sport website:
	www.culture.gov.uk

Television: Local Broadcasting

Douglas Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what research his Department has undertaken to assess the economic impact of a new national television spine for local television in terms of (a) local economic growth and (b) creation of local advertising markets.

Edward Vaizey: The commercial viability review published in December 2010 and carried out by Nicholas Shott, head of UK investment banking at Lazard, looked at a wide range of issues including economic impact and local advertising markets. The costs and benefits of the Government's preferred approach will be set out in due course.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Accommodation

Jim Dobbin: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, if he will make a statement on the House's accommodation policy.

John Thurso: The Commission agreed on 16 May the principles which will underlie future policy on the parliamentary estate and accommodation. They largely reflect the Administration Committee's proposals of 2006, while also taking account of the savings programme. Proposals in the next few months for putting the principles into practice will be subject to consultation. I am placing in the Library of the House the statement of principles.

Environmental Targets

Jim Dobbin: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, whether the environmental targets set for the parliamentary estate for 2010-11 were achieved.

John Thurso: Four targets were set, and significant progress has been made in all four areas, as follows. In particular, for the second year running the two Houses have reduced their carbon emissions. Two of the targets were missed and further work will be needed to meet the demanding targets set for future years.
	Carbon emissions: The target was to reduce carbon emissions (resulting from energy consumption) by 7% by 2010-11, relative to 2008-09. For the second year running the two Houses reduced their absolute emissions but this year the target was missed by 1.0%. The target does not take account of space heating requirements and so this measure was considerably affected by the winter weather conditions. When weather factors are taken into account the reduction beat the target by 0.7%.
	Water: The target was to reduce water consumption by 12% by 2010-11, relative to 2008-09 which was exceeded. Consumption was reduced by 18.0% on 2008-09 levels. The main contributor was the more efficient use of borehole water for cooling in Portcullis house.
	Waste generation: The target was to reduce the volume of waste generated by 10% by 2010-11, relative to 2008-09, which the two Houses exceeded. Weight of waste was down 20% on base year.
	Recycling: The target was to recycle 60% of waste generated by weight by 2010-11. Although the rate of recycling was improved, at 49.2% it fell short of the target. Performance has declined due to reduction in reported amount of glass recycled; the cause continues to be investigated but appears to be due to incorrect historic data from the contractor. The new waste contract due to be awarded this summer will require the provider to work in partnership with the authorities in the two Houses to meet our waste recycling targets.

Times of Sittings

Harriett Baldwin: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, what additional costs were incurred by the House of Commons Service in consequence of the continuation of the sitting of the House on Tuesday 3 May between 10.30 pm and 4.34 am on the next day.

John Thurso: Full details will not be available until all expenditure claims have been processed: it is likely that many of these will not be received until the end of May. The figures currently available include late night transport costs after 11 pm of £2,708 and estimated Hansard printing costs of £2,162. I will write to the hon. Member with further details once they are known.

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Audit Commission: Government Procurement Card

Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 26 April 2011, Official Report, column 195W, on the Government Procurement Card, what the purpose was of each meal purchased by the Audit Commission using the Government Procurement Card in 2008-09 at (a) L'Escargot, (b) Bar and Grill, (c) Smollensky's, (d) RSJ Restaurant, (e) Cinnamon Club, (f) Bar and Kitchen, (g) Imperial China, (h) Boulevard Brasserie, (i) Grumbles, (j) Sirenas, (k) Bank and (l) Benton Bar Brasserie; and who attended each such meal.

Bob Neill: This is an operational matter for the Audit Commission and I have asked the chief executive of the Audit Commission to respond to my hon. Friend direct.
	Letter from Eugene Sullivan, dated 19 May 2011
	Your Parliamentary Question has been passed to me to reply.
	The payments to (a) L'Escargot were for a dinner for representatives of London Councils with senior Audit Commission staff, and a leaving dinner for a senior Audit Commission member of staff. The leaving dinner was fully reimbursed to the Commission by attendees, and therefore at no cost to the public purse.
	Attendees for the London Councils dinner were:
	Michael O'Higgins, Chairman
	Steve Bundred, Chief Executive
	Cllr Sir Merrick Cockell, Chairman & Leader Kensington & Chelsea
	Stuart Fraser, Chairman, Policy & Resources Committee, City of London
	Cllr Sean Brennan, Leader, Sutton
	Cllr Michael White, Leader, Havering
	Mayor Jules Pipe, Mayor, Hackney
	Cllr James Kempton, Leader, Islington
	Mike More, Chief Executive, Westminster
	Rob Whiteman, Chief Executive, Barking & Dagenham
	John O'Brien, Chief Executive, London Councils
	The payments for (b) Bar and Grill, (c) Smolensky's, (d) RSJ Restaurant, (f) Bar and Kitchen, (g) Imperial China, (h) Boulevard Brasserie, (i) Grumbles, (j) Sirenas and (l) Benton Bar Brasserie were for staff Christmas meals. Prior to 2009 each Audit Commission employee was given a £30 contribution towards their team Christmas meal or party. Generally, employees pooled their contributions and put them towards a Christmas lunch or dinner. The Audit Commission ceased Christmas contributions to staff in 2009.
	The payment to (e) Cinnamon Club (£230.29) is published in our hospitality and expenses register on the Audit Commission's website.
	The dinner was attended by:
	Michael O'Higgins, Chairman
	Steve Bundred, Chief Executive
	Rt Hon Oliver Letwin MP
	The second payment was for a staff meeting and was fully reimbursed by attendees, and therefore at no cost to the public purse.
	The payments to (k) Bank is published in our hospitality and expenses register on the Audit Commission's website. Both payments were for dinners with London councils.
	Attendees were:
	Steve Bundred, Chief Executive and Colin Barrow, Leader Westminster
	and;
	Steve Bundred, Chief Executive and Mike More, Chief Executive Westminster
	Because the information requested includes personal information, we have been unable to disclose the names of more junior staff who attended meals in b), c), d) f), g). h), i), j) and l) as this would be a breach of the first principle of the Data Protection Act.

Eco-towns

Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what funding streams he expects to make available for eco-town developments other than from the New Homes Bonus.

Grant Shapps: I refer my hon. Friend to the White Paper “Local Growth Realising Every Places Potential” published on 28 October 2010, which sets out a range of policies and incentives to support locally led growth, including eco-town developments. The document can be found at:
	http://businesslink.gov.uk/Horizontal_Services_files/local_growth_white_paper.pdf

Empty Property

David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps he is taking to bring disused residential properties back into use; and what strategy his Department has developed to ensure that such areas of multiple deprivation become sustainable and socially-mixed communities.

Andrew Stunell: The Government are committed to exploring a full range of measures to bring empty homes back into use. As part of this we recently announced that the New Homes Bonus—which rewards local authorities for new housing development—will include both new homes and empty properties brought back into use. This means that an authority will receive the same bonus for bringing an empty home back into use as for the building of a new home.
	We have also allocated £100 million capital funding to tackle some of the most difficult empty homes. Proposals for how these funds will be distributed are currently being developed and a further announcement will be made once the detail of this proposal has been finalised.
	The Government are also taking a new approach to regeneration and growth—putting residents, local businesses, civil society organisations and civil leaders in the driving seat. We are providing them with local rewards and incentives to drive growth and improve the social and physical quality of their areas.

Energy Performance Certificates

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment he has made of the effects on supply of properties for holiday let of the requirement for such properties to have energy performance certificates from 30 June 2011.

Andrew Stunell: The Department published an impact assessment which estimated the likely costs and benefits of requiring certain properties rented out as holiday lets to have an energy performance certificate. The impact assessment found that the cost of a certificate was about £75 and that the measure would deliver savings to the industry of approximately £0.15 million per year. The assessment can be found at:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningand building/epcholidayletsia

Gurkhas: Resettlement

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  (a) how many and (b) which local authorities have submitted requests to his Department for additional resources to support newly-settled former Gurkhas;
	(2)  if he will assess the living conditions of former Gurkhas who have settled in the UK since 2009; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  if he will assess the resources required to support newly-settled former Gurkhas; and if he will make a statement.

Grant Shapps: The Government have recognised the issue of inward migration and the potential difficulties that this can cause in some areas. In the past, population figures did not accurately reflect the extent of general immigration. However, for the first time Formula Grant is informed by more accurate and timely population estimates developed through Phase 1 of the Migration Statistics Improvement Programme. This means that those areas that have experienced increased population growth over recent years will receive a larger grant allocation. At the same time, the Government have reduced ring fencing and ended costly central reporting requirements. These changes mean local authorities themselves will be able in future to decide how best to address the impacts of immigration on their areas.
	The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), recognises the difficulties some local authorities are experiencing as a result of specifically Nepalese migration. He has met representatives from Rushmoor borough council to discuss this, and has offered to speak to the Local Government Association to see how local authorities can work together to attract those settling in this country to a wider area. The Cross Government Working Group on Gurkhas has also been reconvened at the Prime Minister's request to continue to monitor the concerns and challenges created by the 2009 immigration policy change for Gurkhas.
	Local authorities have powers, under the Housing Act 2004, to assess the risks and hazards in residential properties using the Housing Health and Safety Rating System. If a property is found to contain serious (category 1) hazards, the local authority has a duty to take the most appropriate action. This could range from trying to deal with the problems informally at first to prohibiting the use of the whole or part of the dwelling. This system provides an important safety net, ensuring that homes are safe and free of hazards which pose a significant risk to the occupant. It is in local authority's interests to collect information across all housing tenures through housing condition surveys and to decide on the best approach for their area.

Housing: Construction

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment he has made of the potential effects on (a) the cost of housing and (b) council waiting lists of his proposals for new housing.

Grant Shapps: We are investing nearly £4.5 billion in new affordable housing to help deliver up to 150,000 new affordable homes between 2011-12 and 2014-15 in England.
	From April 2011, housing associations have been able to offer the new Affordable Rent product. This will allow us to lever in more private investment than under the old system, to deliver more homes for every pound of subsidy from the taxpayer.
	Illustrative modelling of the Affordable Rent policy—including assumptions about Affordable Rent levels and the average proportion of rent that will met by housing benefit for Affordable Rent properties—will be set out in the impact assessment, due to be published shortly.
	Our wider social housing reforms will provide landlords with the freedom to grant more flexible tenancies, freeing up more social housing for those most in need. They will also allow local authorities to decide who should go on their waiting list for social housing. An impact assessment covering these proposals is available at:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/localgovernment/localismsocialhousingfuture
	I also refer the hon. Member to my earlier answer to him of 12 May 2011, Official Report, column 1321W, on FirstBuy, which will make home ownership more affordable to 10,000 first time buyers.
	The New Homes Bonus specifically rewards the construction of new affordable housing.

Land: Databases

Andrew Bridgen: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 10 May 2011, Official Report, column 1181W, on land: databases, when his Department plans to publish a timetable for tendering for the future provision of the supply of aerial photography and height data following the cessation of the Pan Government Agreement.

Andrew Stunell: No decisions have been made on the future provision for the supply of aerial photography and height data once the current contract ends.

Religious Buildings: Planning

Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will consider the merits of bringing forward amendments to the Localism Bill on the provision of guidance to local planning authorities on the recognition of the importance of places of worship as part of social infrastructure.

Bob Neill: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Vale of Glamorgan (Alun Cairns) on 18 May 2011, Official Report, columns 230-31W.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on what date special advisers in his Department last used the Government car pool to travel in an official capacity; and on how many occasions a special adviser in his Department has travelled to their home address using the Government car pool since May 2010.

Owen Paterson: The special adviser in the Northern Ireland Office has not used the Government car pool in any capacity since May 2010.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much his Department spent on special advisers' travel by (a) Government car, (b) private hire car, (c) train, (d) bus, (e) commercial aircraft and (f) private aircraft since May 2010.

Owen Paterson: The Northern Ireland Office has spent the following amounts on special advisers' travel from May 2010 to 16 May 2011:
	(a) Government car: Nil;
	(b) Private hire car: Nil;
	(c) Train: £974.06;
	(d) Bus: Nil;
	(e) Commercial aircraft: £16,508.67;
	(f) Private aircraft: Nil.
	Unlike the previous Administration who routinely used a private jet for travel between Great Britain and Northern Ireland by the Secretary of State, all such journeys since this Administration came to office have been taken on commercial aircraft at a considerable saving to the taxpayer.

Research

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what (a) longitudinal and (b) other (i) research and (ii) collection of data his Department has (A) initiated, (B) terminated and (C) amended in the last 12 months; and what such research and data collection exercises undertaken by the Department have not been amended in that period.

Owen Paterson: My Department has not initiated, terminated or amended any longitudinal or other research or data collection in the last 12 months.

Trade Unions

Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many staff of his Department are entitled to work (a) full-time as trade union representatives and (b) part-time on trade union activities; how many such staff are paid more than £25,900 annually; and what the cost to the public purse of employing such staff on such duties was in the latest period for which figures are available.

Owen Paterson: My Department does not have any staff that are (a) entitled to work full-time as trade union representatives, or (b) any part-time staff who are employed for the purpose of trade union activities. The Northern Ireland Office has staff representatives who are not paid for this role.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Council of Europe: Finance

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what voluntary contributions the Government has made to the costs of each institution of the Council of Europe in (a) 2010 and (b) each of the previous five years.

David Lidington: The UK's voluntary contributions are given in the following table.
	
		
			 United Kingdom voluntary contributions (2005-10) 
			  Programme € 
			 2005 HR Commissioner Office 47,349.05 
			  European Youth Foundation 7,174.63 
			  Support to the programme “Ballons rouges” 28,814.29 
			  Programme Moneyval 43,050.00 
			  In-Service training programme for educational staff 1,894.16 
			  Seminar on counterfeit medicines 2005 14,630.58 
		
	
	
		
			  GRECO 105,000.00 
			  Total 247,912.71 
			    
			 2006 Anti-money laundering measures 43,551.00 
			  Bern Convention 14,503.26 
			  HR Commissioner Office 25,335.75 
			  In-Service training programme for educational staff 26,123.00 
			  European Youth Foundation 12,584.98 
			  Language policies 15,179.99 
			  Project “HEREIN” 29,907.50 
			  Total 167,185.48 
			    
			 2007 HR Commissioner activities 42,859.20 
			  Human Rights training of Lawyers 71,281.79 
			  In-Service training programme for educational staff 10,481.06 
			  Total 124,622.05 
			    
			 2008 Activities for promoting the effective observance and full enjoyment of Human Rights 62,532.48 
			  Modernisation of tools and methods of the supervision of execution of the ECHR judgments 21,807.00 
			  Total 84,339.48 
			    
			 2009 Enhance the Commissioner's capacity to respond rapidly to actual or potential crisis situations 20,277.68 
			  Promoting and monitoring biological diversity policies through the Bern Convention 27,384.21 
			  Total 47,661.89 
			    
			 2010 Fight against discrimination 43,195.00 
			  Promoting and monitoring biological diversity policies through the Bern Convention 11,325.03 
			  Total 54,520.03

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date special advisers in his Department last used the Government car pool to travel in an official capacity; and on how many occasions a special adviser in his Department has travelled to their home address using the Government car pool since May 2010.

David Lidington: The special advisers have not used the Government car pool in any capacity since May 2010.

South Sudan

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will support in the UN Security Council the proposed visit by representatives of that Council to South Sudan and Abyei.

Henry Bellingham: We fully support the proposed visit and have made this clear in the Security Council. The UK's Permanent Representative to the UN will form part of the delegation.

Syria: Politics and Government

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with (a) his counterparts in Governments in the middle east and (b) international bodies on the political situation in Syria.

Alistair Burt: holding answer 17 May 2011
	We continue to discuss the situation in Syria with our international partners including in the middle east, at the UN and within the European Union. In those discussions we underline the importance of condemning the violence against civilians who are expressing their views in peaceful protests, the need for the Syrian authorities to show restraint and to respond to the legitimate demands of people with immediate and genuine reform, not brutal repression.
	The UK was heavily engaged in the European Union decision to impose a travel ban and assets freeze on 13 individuals in the Syrian regime who are responsible for the violence. On Friday the Syrian ambassador to London was told that if the violence does not stop immediately and all political prisoners are released, the EU would take further measures including sanctions targeted at the highest levels of the Government. Alongside this action in the EU we are working to convince others that the UN Security Council should send an unequivocal message of condemnation of the situation and call for urgent political reform.

Uganda: Homosexuality

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department has had with (a) civil society and (b) the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transexual community in Uganda on proposed legislation to impose the death penalty for certain homosexual acts in that country.

Henry Bellingham: Our high commission in Kampala is in close touch with Ugandan civil society groups campaigning for the rights of sexual minorities. A recent example of this was their support to those seeking an injunction to prevent the publication of articles in the Ugandan press which incited hatred towards Uganda's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transexual (LGBT) community.
	Worldwide, the Government are committed to combating violence and discrimination against LGBT people as an integral part of their international human rights work. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has a clear programme for promoting the human rights of LGBT people which focuses on the decriminalisation of homosexuality and fighting against discrimination. This includes taking action on individual cases where discrimination has occurred; lobbying for changes in discriminatory practices and laws; and supporting LGBT human rights defenders during gay pride events, some of whom face hostile receptions and violence.

Uganda: Homosexuality

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has had made to the Government of Uganda on proposed legislation imposing the death penalty in respect of certain homosexual acts in that country.

Henry Bellingham: The Anti-Homosexuality Bill, introduced in the Ugandan Parliament by a private Member, was not passed during the parliamentary term which has just concluded. It remains to be seen whether the private Member will introduce the Bill in the next Ugandan Parliament.
	I called Foreign Minister Sam Kutesa on 11 May 2011 to raise our strong concerns about the contents of this private Member’s Bill. In its most recent form, the Bill would have further criminalised homosexuality in Uganda by introducing new criminal sanctions for members of sexual minorities and those who promote their rights. This in turn would have a broader, negative impact on the human rights of all Ugandans.
	Along with international partners, our high commission in Kampala has lobbied senior Ministers in the Ugandan Government, including the Prime Minister, over a long period of time to make our position clear on the importance of respect for the rights of sexual minorities worldwide, and in doing so we have made clear that we will not deviate from this position.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

Crime: Prosecutions

Richard Fuller: To ask the Attorney-General how many (a) senior executives and (b) directors of UK-based financial institutions have been subject to criminal prosecution for financial crimes since July 2007.

Edward Garnier: The Serious Fraud Office has prosecuted eight directors and six other individuals defined as senior executives of UK financial institutions since July 2007. The SFO are currently investigating other cases that involve financial institutions both nationally and internationally.
	The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) captures a wide range of information on the volume of specific offences that are charged and reach a first hearing in magistrates courts in its Compass Management Information System. However, these records do not include information about the occupation of the defendant to whom these offences relate or the particular circumstances of the charge.
	The information requested is held on individual case files, and may be retrieved only by locating and examining every relevant file in each CPS office in England and Wales which would incur a disproportionate cost.

Departmental Mobile Phones

Mike Freer: To ask the Attorney-General what the name is of each contractor or supplier of (a) mobile telephone and (b) mobile data services to the Law Officers' Departments.

Edward Garnier: The information requested is outlined as follows:
	The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) order mobile phones and mobile data services via the CPS telephony contractor, Global Crossing. Their service provider is Vodafone.
	The Treasury Solicitor's Department (TSol) is supplied with mobile telephones by Vodafone, and supplied with mobile data services by Vodafone and Orange.
	The Attorney-General's Office (AGO), Her Majesty's Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI) and the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), are supplied with mobile phones and mobile data services by Vodafone.

Departmental Travel

Maria Eagle: To ask the Attorney-General 
	(1)  how much each Executive agency of the Law Officers' Departments has spent on travel by (a) private hire vehicles, (b) trains, (c) buses, (d) commercial aircraft and (e) private aircraft since May 2010;
	(2)  how much has been spent on travel in respect of (a) each of the Law Officers' Departments Executive agencies and (b) the chief executive of each such agency since May 2010.

Edward Garnier: The only Executive agency within the Law Officers' Departments is the Treasury Solicitor's Department.
	Travel by civil servants is undertaken in accordance with the Civil Service Management Code.
	The total recorded expenditure for travel and subsistence for the period 1 May 2010 to 31 March 2011 is £387,490. This includes hotel and subsistence costs as well as all forms of travel.
	Central accounts are used to book travel and hotels where practical, but individuals may also be directly reimbursed for valid travel and subsistence claims. We are unable to break down the total cost of travel and subsistence into the categories requested but expenditure through central accounts (eg Carlson Wagonlit for travel and hotels) is set out as follows:
	
		
			 Expenditure through central accounts 1 May 2010 to 31 March 2011 Treasury Solicitor's Department Agency  (TSol) (£) 
			 Private hire vehicles 14,540 
			 Hotels 106,365 
			 Trains 136,993 
			 Commercial aircraft 34,392 
			 Total 292,290 
		
	
	There was no expenditure on private aircraft.
	Train fares in respect of chief executive travel were £38. He incurred no other travel costs.

WOMEN AND EQUALITIES

Equality Act 2010

William Bain: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what assessment she has made of the potential effect on women (a) in work, (b) in training and (c) in the provision of services of the decision not to implement the dual discrimination provisions of the Equality Act 2010.

Lynne Featherstone: Women who have experienced discrimination at work, in training or in the provision of goods and services because of more than one protected characteristic will still be able to bring one or more single characteristic claims.
	It is not possible to estimate the number of claims that would not succeed as single characteristic claims but would succeed because of dual discrimination.

Left-handed People: Equality

Dominic Raab: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities whether (a) the Government Equalities Office and (b) the Equality and Human Rights Commission has commissioned research into discrimination against left-handedness.

Lynne Featherstone: holding answer 18 May 2011
	The Government Equalities Office has not undertaken research into discrimination against left-handedness. The Equality and Human Rights Commission has not undertaken research into discrimination against left-handedness.

JUSTICE

Coroners

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will publish the evidential basis on which his decision not to implement the Office of the Chief Coroner was based; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan Djanogly: The costs of full implementation of the Office of the Chief Coroner and Part One of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (which provides for the creation of the office) have been estimated at £6.5 million per year and £10.9 million set-up costs (including a shadow running year). I have now placed a breakdown of these costs in the House Library. The Ministry of Justice's spending review settlement has no provision for the Office of the Chief Coroner.

Corruption

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 16 March 2011, Official Report, column 453W, on corruption, which colleagues in other Departments, non-governmental organisations and other national and international stakeholders he has met to discuss his role as the UK's international anti-corruption champion.

Kenneth Clarke: Although it is not constitutional practice to disclose details of ministerial discussions, I can confirm that I have discussed my role as the UK's international anti-corruption champion with Cabinet colleagues, Transparency International UK and the Bond Governance group, as well as the US Attorney-General and an academic in the field. I have also discussed the implementation of the Bribery Act 2010 with officials from the OECD.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much his Department spent on special advisers' travel by (a) Government car, (b) private hire car, (c) train, (d) bus, (e) commercial aircraft and (f) private aircraft since May 2010.

Kenneth Clarke: Excluding those travel costs where my special advisers have accompanied me on ministerial visits, the Ministry of Justice has spent the following on their travel: (a) £0.00, (b) £0.00, (c) £50.15, (d) £0.00, (e) £0.00, (f) £0.00.

Fixed Penalties

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what discussions he has had with the Home Secretary on the effectiveness of fixed penalty notices; and if he will make a statement.

Crispin Blunt: The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Rushcliffe (Mr Clarke), has frequent discussions with the Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), on policy issues that affect both Departments and it is not usual practice to disclose the content of those meetings.
	The Ministry of Justice and the Home Office worked with the Department for Transport to develop proposals to introduce a fixed penalty notice (FPN) for the offence of careless driving and to increase the level of certain road traffic FPNs, as set out in the Department for Transport's recently published Strategic Framework for Road Safety.
	There are a number of FPN schemes in operation across a wide range of offences which provide the police and other enforcement agencies with the means to deal quickly and effectively with low-level offending. Among these are the penalty notice for disorder (PND) scheme and FPNs for a number of road traffic offences.
	The aim of the PND scheme is to allow the police to impose a swift financial punishment in response to low-level, nuisance behaviour which provides a practical deterrent to future offending. The initial payment rate for PNDs was 53% in 2009. Unpaid PNDs are registered as fines by the courts and are indistinguishable from other fines. The overall payment rate for all fines in the financial year to March 2011 was 93%, and the payment rate excluding the value of administrative cancellations for the same period was 80%. 76% of adults and 67% of youths who received a PND in 2008 did not go on to reoffend within one year.
	Fixed penalties for offences in respect of a vehicle provide a quick and simple way of dealing with those offences that do not require prosecution, but do require some formal action. In addition and where appropriate, police officers can offer offending drivers the opportunity to attend, at their own expense, an educational course as an alternative to paying the fixed penalty amount and receiving the associated penalty points. This helps people become better drivers and further reduces pressure on the criminal justice system.

Risley Prison: Suicide

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what consideration he has given to the number of suicides at HMP Prison Risley in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Crispin Blunt: Each death in custody is a tragedy. The National Offender Management Service is committed to reducing the number of self-inflicted deaths in prison custody.
	Regrettably, there have been three self-inflicted deaths at HMP Risley in the last 12 months.
	There do not appear to be any immediate common factors between the three deaths. Unfortunately, clusters of deaths can occur randomly due to the relatively small numbers involved.
	Each death is subject to an investigation and, since 2004, these have been undertaken by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman. Strenuous efforts are made to learn from each death and improve our understanding and procedures for caring for prisoners at risk of suicide or self-harm.

Sexual Offences: Convictions

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  what the conviction rate for each type of sexual offence was in each region in each of the last five years;
	(2)  what the average length of sentence handed down by the courts was for each type of sexual offence in each region in each of the last five years.

Crispin Blunt: Defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts, and found guilty at all courts, the conviction ratio, number sentenced, sentence breakdown and average custodial sentence length, by sexual offence type and region in England and Wales, 2005 to 2009 can be viewed in the table. A copy of the table will be placed in the House Library.
	Data for 2010 are planned for publication on 26 May 2011.
	Information for Scotland and Northern Ireland are matters for the Scottish Executive and Northern Ireland Office respectively.

CABINET OFFICE

Census

Alun Cairns: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many people completed 2011 Census forms in languages other than English.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated May 2011
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics (ONS) I have been asked to reply to your recent question to the Minister for the Cabinet Office asking how many people completed 2011 Census forms in languages other than English. 56349
	The 2011 Census questionnaires were only available in English for households in England, and in both English and Welsh for households in Wales. Translations of the questions into other languages were available as part of the online help. The Census field operation only completed on 9 May and the significant task of scanning, processing and quality assuring the data is in its early stages. It is therefore too soon to know how many questionnaires were not completed in English.

Census

Damian Hinds: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when he expects the Office for National Statistics to publish complete neighbourhood statistics datasets for England and Wales at ward level based on the 2011 Census.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated May 2011
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics (ONS) I have been asked to reply to your recent question to the Minister for the Cabinet Office asking when he expects the Office for National Statistics to publish complete neighbourhood statistics datasets for England and Wales at ward level based on the 2011 Census. 56506
	The field operation for the 2011 Census in England and Wales was completed only on 9 May and the significant task of processing and quality assuring the data has now started. The timetable and detailed content of the several releases of outputs from the Census are not yet finalised. The first release is aimed for July 2012 and will comprise the sex/age distributions for local authorities' areas. ONS is expecting to release the first outputs at ward level in Autumn 2012, but the detailed content and means of dissemination of these will not be finalised until the 2011 Census output prospectus is published early in 2012.

Civil Servants: Early Retirement

John Mann: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what estimate his Department has made of the number of civil servants likely to take early retirement during the spending review period.

Francis Maude: The civil service pension scheme rules allow civil servants to retire and draw their pension from either age 50 or age 55, depending on the date they joined the scheme. Where individuals draw pension before pension age (generally 60 or 65, depending on pension terms), an actuarial adjustment applies. In practice, civil servants retire at a range of ages, with many choosing to work on beyond pension age.
	We have no specific estimate of the number of early retirements during the spending review period.

Community Relations

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether the Behavioural Insight Unit has undertaken any work on the recent popular protests in North Africa and the Middle East.

Francis Maude: The Behavioural Insight Unit has not undertaken any such work.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Maria Eagle: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how much his Department spent on special advisers' travel by (a) Government car, (b) private hire car, (c) train, (d) bus, (e) commercial aircraft and (f) private aircraft since May 2010.

Francis Maude: Since May 2010, the Cabinet Office has spent £6.50 on private hire cars, £102.00 on train journeys and £1,505 on commercial aircraft for its special advisers.

Departmental Responsibilities

Nick Brown: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether his Department plans to cease to fund any of its functions over the period of the comprehensive spending review.

Francis Maude: The Cabinet Office during 2010-11 implemented a wide range of measures to reduce cost which will provide benefits throughout the spending review period. Key among these has been the creation of the Efficiency and Reform Group, which has brought together a range of functions allowing it to drive substantial efficiencies and reforms in civil service HR, ICT, commercial and procurement, estates and other support functions. The ERG has also changed the way in which these functions are carried out between the centre and Departments, allowing it over the two years to 31 March 2012 to reduce the headcount and cost of its aggregated functions by around one-third. The ERG has now embarked on substantial reforms of arrangements for learning and development within the civil service, affecting the National School for Government; for procurement by Government Departments, affecting Buying Solutions; and Government marketing and advertising, affecting the Central Office of Information.
	Further savings will come from changes to the structure of and programmes run by the Office for Civil Society (OCS). Some functions of the former Social Exclusion Taskforce ceased when OCS was formed. These included responsibility for social exclusion policy and a number of community-related grant programmes (e.g. grassroots grants, community assets fund) which have now been realigned with this Government's priorities.
	Elsewhere within the Department, other structural changes have flowed from the review of arm's length bodies. In particular, two sponsored non-departmental public bodies (Capacitybuilders and Commissioner for the Compact) have also been closed. There have also been smaller scale changes within the National Security Secretariat flowing from the creation of the National Security Council and Office of Cyber Security, and publication of this Government's National Security Strategy.

Departmental Responsibilities

Paul Flynn: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when officials in his Department last met representatives of (a) Serco, (b) Capita, (c) A4e and (d) G4S; what aspects of Government policy were discussed at such meetings; and whether future meetings with those companies are planned.

Francis Maude: Officials in the Cabinet Office meet a variety of companies and outside interest groups on a regular basis. Details of all such meetings are not held centrally and to collate this in the form requested would incur disproportionate cost.
	Details of meetings between Permanent Secretaries and outside interest groups are published quarterly on the Cabinet Office website and are available at:
	http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/cabinet-office-permanent-secretaries%E2%80%99-meetings-external-organisations

SCOTLAND

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on what date special advisers in his Department last used the Government car pool to travel in an official capacity; and on how many occasions a special adviser in his Department has travelled to their home address using the Government car pool since May 2010.

David Mundell: The Scotland Office does not hold details of which occasions the special adviser travelled in a Government car. The Scotland Office no longer has a contract with the Government Car Service.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much his Department spent on special advisers' travel by (a) Government car, (b) private hire car, (c) train, (d) bus, (e) commercial aircraft and (f) private aircraft since May 2010.

David Mundell: The Scotland Office spend on travel by special advisers between 10 May 2010 and 30 April 2011 is shown in the following table:
	
		
			 Spend (£) 
			  Special adviser 1 Special adviser 2 Special adviser 3 
			  20 to 29 May 2010 20 May to 9 July 2010 5 July 2010 to date 
			 (a) Government car service 0 0 0 
			 (b) Private hire car 0 0 125 
			 (c) Train 0 226 333 
			 (d) Bus 0 0 0 
			 (e) Commercial aircraft 261 1,675 7,838 
			 (f) Private aircraft 0 0 0

Devolution

Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the likely effect of the changes to funding arrangements proposed in the Scotland Bill on the level of per capita Government expenditure in Scotland.

David Mundell: It is not possible to make a realistic or accurate assessment of future per capita Government expenditure. Following the implementation of the Scotland Bill, the level of per capita Government expenditure in Scotland will be determined through a combination of the spending review, decisions of Scottish Ministers over the rates of the devolved taxes and the rate of economic growth in Scotland and the UK.

Offshore Industry: Profits

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland pursuant to the answer of 9 May 2011, Official Report, column 948W, on offshore industry, what proportion of pre-tax profits in the oil and gas sector in 2011 he estimates can be attributed to the (a) oil and (b) gas sector.

Michael Moore: It is not possible to estimate the split of taxable profits between oil and gas as they are taxed together.

Scottish Grand Committee

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has any plans to bring forward proposals for a meeting of the Scottish Grand Committee; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Moore: The Scottish Grand Committee has not met since 2003. The possibility of the Committee meeting is always kept under review.

Scottish Grand Committee

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will meet hon. and right hon. Members representing Scottish constituencies to discuss the Scottish Grand Committee.

Michael Moore: The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and I are always happy to meet hon. and right hon. Members representing Scottish constituencies to discuss any issues they wish to raise.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Fisheries: Quotas

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what share of the sea fishing quota is held by fishermen using vessels of under 10 metres.

Richard Benyon: The opening quota for the 10 metre and under fleet is boosted by fisheries administrations acquiring additional quota in-year for their use. Information on the under 10 metre fleet's share of quota at 31 December 2010 is in Table 1. However, focusing on such an analysis can be misleading, as some of the quota stocks included are of little interest to inshore vessels. In addition, many of these vessels catch types of fish, such as crabs and scallops, which are not subject to the constraints on their activity that may be seen when targeting quota species. Figures for landings of quota stocks and non-quota stocks are also included in the table and show that 79% of all landings by the UK 10 metre and under fleet in 2010 were of non-quota stocks.
	
		
			 Table 1: Stocks fished by the UK's 10 metre and under fleet  (1)  : 2010 
			 Quota stocks UK quota as at  31 December (tonnes) 10 metre and under fleet's quota as at 31 December  (2 )  (tonnes) Percentage of  UK quota Landings by the 10 metre and under fleet   (3)   (tonnes) Percentage of  UK quota 
			 Anglers 7 (incl. 8abde) 6,078.5 196.6 3 187.3 3 
			 North Sea Anglers 9,762.9 20.8 0 11.4 0 
			 West of Scotland Anglers 2,518.2 5.8 0 0.1 0 
			 Cod 73 386.6 4.8 1 2.2 1 
			 Cod 7b-k (excl 7d) 325.5 85.1 26 83.8 26 
			 Cod7d 196.5 93.2 47 66.1 34 
			 North Sea Cod 14,281.4 571.5 4 556.9 4 
			 West of Scotland Cod 138.6 0.4 0 0.1 0 
			 North Sea Dabs and Flounders 1,395.0 31.6 2 18.0 1 
			 Haddock 7a 799.1 14.6 2 0.4 0 
			 Haddock 7b-k 943.5 71.4 8 59.7 6 
			 North Sea Haddock 25,367.5 93.0 0 90.4 0 
			 Hake 65,7 (incl 8abde) 4,046.5 20.5 1 2.2 0 
			 North Sea Hake 1,989.3 0.7 0 0.6 0 
			 Herring 4c/7d 1,799.0 101.5 6 72.2 4 
			 Herring 7a (Manx and Mourne) 5,030.4 2.4 0 0.1 0 
			 Herring 7ef 500.0 271.7 54 146.2 29 
			 North Sea Horse Mackerel 4,396.3 2.0 0 1.6 0 
			 West Coast Horse Mackerel 15,651.8 4.6 0 3.6 0 
			 North Sea Lemon Sole and Witches 3,983.0 72.2 2 43.6 1 
			 Deep Sea Ling 4 2,079.6 8.8 0 8.7 0 
			 Deep Sea Ling 6-10,12.14 2,974.7 125.5 4 50.8 2 
			 North Sea Mackerel 1,754.0 489.0 28 481.5 27 
			 West Coast Mackerel 159,098.8 116.0 0 117.8 0 
			 Megrim 7 3,312.6 37.2 1 6.0 0 
			 North Sea Megrims 1,678.0 1.3 0 0.1 0 
			 Nephrops 7 8,831.2 161.0 2 117.1 1 
			 North Sea Nephrops 22,834.6 1,292.2 6 877.6 4 
			 West of Scotland Nephrops 17,906.8 1,675.9 9 1,602.0 9 
			 Plaice 7a 547.6 63.7 12 33.9 6 
			 Plaice 7de 1,360.8 316.5 23 296.5 22 
			 Plaice 7fg 59.6 12.6 21 11.5 19 
			 North Sea Plaice 14,763.0 49.0 0 42.8 0 
			 Pollack 7 2,395.5 574.2 24 463.0 19 
			 West of Scotland Pollack 148.0 5.0 3 1.9 1 
			 Saithe 7 447.0 11.0 2 3.7 1 
			 North Sea Saithe 12,094.0 13.7 0 11.1 0 
			 Skates and Rays 6, 7b-k (excl 7d) 3,460.0 679.2 20 434.0 13 
			 Skates and Rays 7d 136.0 96.1 11 92.2 68 
			 North Sea Skates and Rays 676.7 161.8 24 130.6 19 
			 Sole 7a 94.3 8.7 9 2.4 3 
			 Sole 7d 913.0 552.6 61 449.8 49 
			 Sole 7e 365.1 22.1 6 20.5 6 
			 Sole 7fg 309.6 25.4 6 8.2 3 
			 North Sea Sole 1,206.5 310.2 26 243.9 20 
			 Sprat 7de 4,429.0 92.5 2 22.4 1 
			 North Sea Sprat 5,607.0 159.9 3 66.1 2 
			 North Sea Spurdog 20.0 0.0 0 0.7 4 
			 North Sea Turbot and Brill 610.0 16.8 3 14.7 2 
			 North Sea Whiting 7,782.0 325.4 4 350.4 5 
			 Whiting 7a 60.2 1.0 2 0.2 0 
			 Whiting 7b-k 1,152.8 210.4 18 180.7 16 
			       
			 Total quota stocks 378,697.6 9,279.1 2 7,509.5 2 
			       
			 Total non-quota stocks n/a n/a n/a 27,981.4 n/a 
			       
			 Total all species n/a n/a n/a 35,490.9 n/a 
			 (1) Excludes vessels which are members of producer organisations. (2) Includes unfished leased quota by vessels in the 10 metre and under fleet. (3) Excludes landings against leased quota.

Fishing Vessels

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many fishing vessels of (a) 10 metres and under and (b) over 10 metres are licensed in the UK.

Richard Benyon: Latest figures show that there are currently 5,744 vessels licensed in the UK, excluding the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. Of those, 1,320 are over 10 metres and 4,424 are 10 metres and under.
	Source:
	Marine Management Organisation's Citrix database.

Floods: Greenwich

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  if she will instruct the Environment Agency to carry out an assessment of the Sutcliffe Park flood alleviation scheme to ensure that it has the capacity to prevent flooding from the River Quaggy into neighbouring residential areas; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  whether she has received any recommendation from the Environment Agency on the capacity of the Sutcliffe Park flood alleviation scheme to prevent damage to neighbouring residential areas; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Benyon: Sutcliffe Park Flood Storage Area was completed in 2007 as part of a wider project, known as the River Quaggy Flood Alleviation Scheme. It was designed to protect properties from floods with a 1 in 70 probability of occurring in any one year.
	When the Environment Agency (EA) designed the River Quaggy Flood Alleviation Scheme it included an allowance for climate change over the next 100 years and increased the capacity of the scheme to take this into account.
	Since completion in 2007, the level of the flood defence has been annually inspected by both the EA and an independent engineer (appointed by the Institution of Civil Engineers), to ensure there has been no subsidence or deterioration of standards. These inspections show that all the defences are in good condition and providing the level of flood protection expected.
	There are no current recommendations from the EA concerning Sutcliffe Park. Annual inspections of Sutcliffe Park will continue for its lifetime to ensure the capacity and standard of defence is maintained at the level to which it was designed.

Floods: Insurance

Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the effects of reductions in public spending on flood defence on compliance with the Statement of Principles on the provision of flood insurance of July 2008.

Richard Benyon: We are working closely with the insurance industry through the Flood summit process to understand the relationship between insurance and flood risk management as well as possible and to map out a pathway for flood insurance beyond 2013 when the Statement of Principles expires. DEFRA has committed to spend at least £2.1 billion on flooding and coastal erosion over the next four years. This represents approximately an 8% reduction compared to the previous four years.

Hydrofluorocarbons

Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with reference to her Department's Carbon Plan, March 2011, paragraph 10.13, what progress she has made on reducing the (a) production and (b) use of hydrofluorocarbon in (i) the refrigeration industry and (ii) heat pumps.

Richard Benyon: A comprehensive EU regulatory framework to contain, prevent and, thereby, reduce emissions of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) from equipment such as refrigeration and heat pumps is already in place having been fully implemented since 2009 in Great Britain by the Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/261). However, this framework stops short of controls to phase down the production of the gases themselves.
	There are existing proposals at an international level to use the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer to phase down the production and use of HFCs. This would affect all types of equipment, not just refrigeration and heat pumps. The UK Government remain supportive, in principle, of an international phase-down of production and consumption of HFCs but there are many technical issues to be discussed before any formal negotiations on a phase-down could take place. The Government will continue to push for the development of a phase-down agreement at the upcoming Montreal Protocol and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change meetings, and support this aim. Further detailed analysis of impacts of the proposals will also be conducted.
	The latest estimate of HFC emissions from refrigeration, based on the assessment by the consultants AEA, available at:
	http://archive.defra.gov.uk/environment/quality/air/fgas/documents/hfc-aeat101005.pdf
	was 4,336.7 kt CO2e in 2009(1). The latest projections of HFC emissions from refrigeration in 2030 is 1,693.9 kt CO2e.
	The AEA study also estimated that 0.06 kt CO2 eq. of HFC 134a would be emitted from heat pumps in 2009, rising to 0.16 kt CO2 eq. of HFC134a by 2025. It should be noted that these estimates are highly uncertain, and are very small in relation to HFC emissions from the other sectors. These estimates of emissions are currently not included in either the main F-gas model or the UK national greenhouse gas emission totals, and further work is needed to refine the fundamental parameters before the emissions from this sector can be included.
	(1) UK GHG Inventory 1990-2009

HOME DEPARTMENT

Alcoholic Drinks: Children

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether her proposals for further restrictions on the sale of alcohol to children will apply to micro-businesses.

James Brokenshire: holding answer 13 May 2011
	We have made provision in the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill to tackle the persistent sale of alcohol to children. Our intention is that these measures will apply to all businesses.

Animal Experiments

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will make it her policy to withhold any certificate of designation for the proposed Marshall Biosciences beagle breeding factory at Grimston, East Yorkshire for the purposes of reducing the use of animals in painful laboratory experiments; and if she will make a statement.

Lynne Featherstone: Under Section 7 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, places where animals specified in schedule 2 to the Act are bred for use in regulated procedures, or are kept for supply for use in such procedures or to other designated sources, must be designated as breeding and/or supplying establishments. Applications for designation are considered on a case by case basis according to their merits. It is not Home Office policy to comment on individual applications.

Antisocial Behaviour

Aidan Burley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she plans to give a right of redress against enforcement authorities to persons who have been subject to antisocial behaviour in circumstances where complaints of such behaviour have not been addressed appropriately.

James Brokenshire: On 7 February 2011, the Home Office launched a public consultation on proposals to give the police and their partners more effective powers to tackle antisocial behaviour. The proposals include the introduction of a “Community Trigger”, which would give communities the right to force agencies to take action where they have failed to do so, and elected police and crime commissioners will be able to hold agencies to account for their response. The consultation closed on 17 May, and the Department is considering the responses.

DNA: Databases

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many requests for information held on the National DNA Database her Department received from other countries in each year since 2007.

James Brokenshire: There are three categories of information sought from the National DNA Database (NDNAD) by other countries.
	1. Searches carried out against the NDNAD of DNA profiles from outstanding serious crimes or for the identification of an unknown deceased person believed to be a UK national. Reports are issued directly to the United Kingdom National Central Bureau for Interpol (UK NCB) based at the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) as to the outcome of each profile search. This information can be found at Table 1, Annex A.
	2. Requests for the DNA profile held for a subject on the NDNAD, where fingerprints have been provided to the country that the individual currently resides in. Again this information is provided to SOCA. This information can be found at Table 2, Annex A.
	3. Database management information. This provides total numbers of subject and crime scene DNA profile records held on the NDNAD and the total number of match reports generated. Countries which do not have a DNA database use this information to demonstrate the success of the UK Database in order to support their case for legislation of a DNA database in their own country. Requestors are directed to the most recent published statistics on the National Policing Improvement Agency's NDNAD website at:
	http://www.npia.police.uk/en/8934.htm
	No figures are kept for the number of such requests.
	Data provided are management information only. Data have not been formally assessed for compliance with the code of practice for official statistics.
	
		
			 Table 1 
			  Number of searched profile responses provided to SOCA 
			 2007-08 727 
			 2008-09 573 
			 2009-10(1) 377 
			 2010-11 (2)— 
			 (1) Data are not available for the period October 2009-January 2010. (2) Figures not yet available Note: Data provided are management information only and have not been formally assessed for compliance with the code of practice for official statistics. 
		
	
	
		
			 Table 2 
			  Number of subject profiles provided to SOCA 
			 2007-08 89 
			 2008-09 128 
			 2009-10 138 
			 2010-11 (1)— 
			 (1) Figures not yet available. Note: Data provided are management information only and have not been formally assessed for compliance with the code of practice for official statistics.

Domestic Violence: Advisory Services

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department to which local authority areas her Department allocated funding in respect of independent domestic violence advisers in financial year 2010-11 but are no longer in receipt of such funding.

Lynne Featherstone: holding answer 16 May 2011
	This information is not readily available in the format requested. A list of the grants we funded in 2010-11 which covers independent domestic violence advisers (IDVAs) (and where there was a combined grant some multi-agency risk assessment conference coordinator (MARAC) posts) will be placed in the House Library. A list of those who received funding in 2011-12 can be found at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/crime/violence-against-women-girls/idva/

Drugs

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations she has received on the 2010 Drugs Strategy.

James Brokenshire: Since January, the Home Office has received three representations linked specifically to the 2010 Drug Strategy.
	The two-week pilot of the 'drug strategy blog' received nearly 6,000 visits and 86 posts were published, after appropriate moderation.

Drugs

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many officials in her Department are working on the Government's review of the 2010 Drugs Strategy; and whether such officials have met representatives of (a) Serco, (b) Capita, (c) A4e and (d) G4S.

James Brokenshire: The terms of the annual review are still being scoped. No officials have met the organisations listed.

Entry Clearances: Private Education

David Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons private schools are treated differently from higher education institutions in the private sector who have highly trusted status but not accreditation required to increase their number of students from September 2011 under the immigration rules relating to institutions providing education and professional training.

Damian Green: The Government have two key aims in their reform of the student immigration system: to tackle abuse of the student system and support work on reducing migration to sustainable levels. The independent school sector is a highly regulated part of the education sector, with independent schools subject to statutory regulation, overseen by the relevant Departments and inspectorates responsible for education across the UK. In our experience of operating Tier 4, the independent school sector has demonstrated good levels of compliance with immigration requirements.
	Independent schools primarily use the Tier 4 (Child) category as the majority of their pupils are aged between four and 17-years-old, using the Tier 4 (General) category for the very small number of pupils who need to apply to the UK Border Agency once aged 18 or over. Independent schools have therefore been excluded from the interim limit on the number of Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies they may assign under Tier 4 (General) between 21 April 2011 and 5 April 2012, because of the low levels of abuse and small numbers using the Tier 4 (General) category when compared with other sectors which are not subject to statutory regulation, have higher levels of non-compliance and higher numbers of students attending institutions within the sector.

Greater Manchester Police Authority

David Nuttall: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what contribution the Greater Manchester Police Authority made to the Exchequer as a result of assets seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 in (a) 2008, (b) 2009 and (c) 2010.

James Brokenshire: Information on the value of monies received under cash forfeiture orders and confiscation orders obtained by the Greater Manchester police authority under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, and earlier legislation, and subsequently enforced is set out in the following table. The enforcement of confiscation orders is essentially a matter for HM Courts Service. Information is available for the three financial years 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10.
	
		
			 £ 
			 Greater Manchester police authority Cash forfeiture receipts Confiscation receipts Total receipts 
			 2007-08 420,358 425,547 845,905 
			 2008-09 521,068 389,620 910,688 
			 2009-10 834,463 344,859 1,179,322

Members: Correspondence

Jackie Doyle-Price: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to respond to the letter from the hon. Member for Thurrock of 14 February 2011.

Damian Green: I replied to my hon. Friend the Member for Thurrock on 19 May 2011.

Victim Support Schemes: Newcastle upon Tyne

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) independent domestic violence advisers and (b) independent sexual violence advisers were employed in Newcastle upon Tyne (i) on the latest date for which information is available and (ii) in each of the last five years.

Lynne Featherstone: The requested information is not collected centrally as funding for independent sexual violence adviser (ISVA) and independent domestic violence adviser (IDVA) posts can come from a range of local and national sources.
	A sub-set of ISVA posts has been partially funded by the Home Office since 2006-07. Of these, the REACH sexual assault referral centre in Newcastle upon Tyne was a recipient of Home Office funding for one ISVA post in 2009-10 and for 2011-12 to 2014-15.
	The Home Office has also awarded funding for one IDVA post to Newcastle Victim Support for 2011-12 to 2014-15.

HEALTH

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department spent on special advisers' travel by (a) Government car, (b) private hire car, (c) train, (d) bus, (e) commercial aircraft and (f) private aircraft since May 2010.

Simon Burns: The Secretary of State for Health, my right hon. Friend the Member for South Cambridgeshire (Mr Lansley), has two special advisers. The information requested, covering the period from 1 May 2010 to 30 April 2011, is set out in the following table:
	
		
			 Mode of transport Expenditure (£) 
			 Government car 0 
			 Private hire car/taxi 0 
			 Train 2,277.50 
			 Bus 0 
			 Commercial aircraft 2,506.10 
			 Private aircraft 0 
			 Source: Data have been extracted from the Department's electronic Business Management System

Departmental Mobile Phones

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the name is of each contractor or supplier of (a) mobile telephone and (b) mobile data services to his Department.

Simon Burns: Vodafone are the suppliers of both mobile telephony and mobile data services. These services are provided to the Department by Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) under a managed service agreement.

Departmental Travel

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how much each executive agency of his Department has spent on travel by (a) private hire vehicles, (b) trains, (c) buses, (d) commercial aircraft and (e) private aircraft since May 2010;
	(2)  how much has been spent on travel in respect of (a) each of his Department's executive agencies and (b) the chief executive of each such agency since May 2010.

Simon Burns: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is the only executive agency of the Department.
	Since May 2010, the MHRA has spent £55,793.47 on private hire vehicles, £234,872.35, on trains, £1,310.89 on buses, £994,273.01 on commercial aircraft and nothing on private aircraft.
	Since May 2010, the MHRA has spent a total of £1,286,358.22 on travel and £2,865.23 on travel for the chief executive.

Fluoride

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what his policy is on the provision by his Department of funding for fluoridation to strategic health authorities where consultations show local communities not to be in favour of fluoridation;
	(2)  on what date funding by his Department for fluoridation in pursuance of the announcement of February 2008 ceased to be available; and what plans he has for the availability of funds for fluoridation in 2011-12.

Anne Milton: The central allocation for funding the capital costs of fluoridation schemes, announced by the previous Government in February 2008, covered the period 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2011. It is now for strategic health authorities and the primary care trusts that would be affected to agree how expenditure on fluoridation can be provided for from the overall allocations they receive for capital and revenue expenditure.

Fluoride: Southampton

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department made funding for fluoridation available to South Central Strategic Health Authority for use in Southampton and parts of Totton in the period from April 2008 to March 2011.

Anne Milton: In November 2006, the Department allocated £35,000 to South Central Strategic Health Authority (SHA) to commission consultants to conduct a feasibility study of fluoridating Southampton. The study found that, in addition to 160,000 residents of Southampton, the water distribution system also served approximately 35,000 people living in parts of Eastleigh, Totton and Netley in south-west Hampshire. The SHA has funded subsequent expenditure on the proposed fluoridation scheme from its own resources.

Hospitals

Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment his Department has made of the productivity of (a) military and (b) NHS hospitals.

Simon Burns: United Kingdom national health service productivity is measured by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and most recent estimates from 1996 are given in the following table.
	
		
			 Growth in UK NHS productivity 1996   to   2009 
			  Percentage 
			 1996 -1.4 
			 1997 0.4 
			 1998 -0.6 
			 1999 0.5 
			 2000 -0.5 
			 2001 1.6 
			 2002 -2.0 
			 2003 -1.6 
			 2004 -0.4 
			 2005 0.1 
			 2006 1.3 
			 2007 -0.6 
			 2008 -0.1 
			 2009 0.7 
			 Notes:  1. Figures are rounded to one decimal place.  2. Figures contain data from all UK countries.  3. Figures include some adjustments for the quality of care delivered.  Source:  Hardie M; et al (2011) Public Service Output, Inputs and Productivity: Healthcare, ONS. 
		
	
	The National Audit Office as part of their work for the Public Accounts Committee asked ONS to disaggregate their measure of productivity to show the trend in hospital productivity from 2000 to 2008. This showed that hospital productivity has declined by an average of -1.4% per year, with an adjustment made for the quality of services. This compares to an average decline of -0.2% per year across the NHS as a whole.
	At present no data exist to compare productivity between NHS hospitals. There are no military hospitals in the UK. There are NHS hospitals with military wings, however productivity data are not collected for these wings.
	It should be noted that figures differ from the answer I gave the hon. Member for Stafford (Jeremy Lefroy) on 28 February 2011, Official Report, column 140W, following revisions made by ONS to the historic series in their most recent article published in March 2011.

North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has had recent discussions on the potential merger of North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust with another trust; and if he will make a statement.

Simon Burns: No formal discussions have taken place with Ministers on a potential merger of the Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (previously North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust) with another NHS trust.
	At a Westminster Hall debate on 4 May 2011 entitled “Private Finance Initiative Hospitals”, the potential for the St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust to merge with another NHS trust as an option for achieving foundation trust status was discussed. The Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust was identified as a possible merger partner, given its geographical proximity to the St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. However, the St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is still considering all options that are available to achieve foundation trust status.
	On 16 May 2011, I briefly discussed this issue in a telephone conversation with my hon. Friend the Member for Warrington South (David Mowat).
	Work is continuing on the development of a tripartite formal agreement between St Helens and Knowsley Hospitals NHS Trust, North West strategic health authority and the Department to set out the agreed options that will enable the trust to obtain foundation trust status.

Nurses: Manpower

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the role of specialist sickle cell and thalassaemia nurses in (a) improving patient experience, (b) improving patient outcomes and (c) reducing costs to the NHS.

Anne Milton: The Government have not made an assessment of the role of specialist sickle cell and thalassaemia nurses in improving patient experience and outcomes or costs to the national health service. The Government acknowledge the vital role that specialist nurses have in supporting patients with the management of these long-term conditions. Local NHS organisations are best placed to develop service models that put patients at the heart of care and have a clear and rigorous focus on improving health outcomes.

Southern Cross Healthcare

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in discussions with Southern Cross Healthcare on the continuing provision of service to their clients; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Burstow: Southern Cross has plans in place to restructure its business and ensure that services and quality are maintained and is keeping the Government updated on progress.
	We will continue to keep in close touch with the situation and will work with local authorities, the Care Quality Commission and others to ensure there is an effective response, which delivers protection to everyone affected.

TRANSPORT

Departmental Information Officers

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many press officers his Department employs.

Norman Baker: The number of full-time equivalent (FTE) staff employed on press officer activities on 1 April 2011 by the Department is set out in the following table.
	
		
			 Staff (FTE) employed on press officer activities on 1 April 2011 
			  Number 
			 Department for Transport (Central) 14 
			 Driving Standards Agency 3 
			 Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency 4 
			 Government Car and Despatch Agency 0 
			 Highways Agency 13 
			 Maritime and Coastguard Agency 2 
			 Vehicle Certification Agency 0 
			 Vehicle and Operator Services Agency 1.6 
		
	
	The Highways Agency has a team of regional press officers to support its role in operating, maintaining and improving the strategic road network in each region. These press officers are employed primarily to keep the public informed of roadworks, incidents and events which might affect their journeys.

Departmental Legal Costs

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department paid in (a) damages, (b) claimant costs and (c) defendant costs in respect of all civil claims brought against his Department in which the claimant was successful or the Department settled in each of the last three years.

Norman Baker: I regret that this information cannot be provided other than at disproportionate cost.

Driving: Insurance

Anna Soubry: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department takes to monitor trends in motor insurance premiums; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Penning: The setting of insurance premiums is a matter for the insurers based on a commercial decision. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) collects data on family expenditure on vehicle taxation and insurance costs, but this Department does not separately monitor premiums.
	I welcome the recent Transport Select Committee's report, “The cost of motor insurance” and agree with their conclusions on the importance of this issue and the need to look at a range of ways of reducing costs. The Department for Transport will need time to fully consider and formally respond to the report. A seminar to discuss the issues with key interested parties is being planned.

Large Goods Vehicles: Accidents

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many and what proportion of traffic accidents on motorways involved a heavy goods vehicle with a foreign registration in (a) 2008, (b) 2009 and (c) 2010; and what proportion of such incidents were attributed to poor visibility or blind spots on such vehicles.

Michael Penning: The following table shows the number of reported personal injury road accidents on motorways involving foreign registered heavy goods vehicles in Great Britain in (a) 2008 and (b) 2009 (the latest data for which information is available):
	
		
			 Accidents 
			 Accidents (a) 2008 (b) 2009 
			 On motorways 7,249 6,643 
			 Of which involved a foreign registered HGV 409 354 
			    
			 Proportion involving a foreign registered HGV (percentage) 6 5 
		
	
	It is not possible to identify accidents where a blind spot of, or an area of poor visibility on, a vehicle contributed to the accident.
	However, the following table shows the number of accidents on motorways involving a foreign registered heavy goods vehicle in Great Britain where the contributory factor “vehicle blind spot” was assigned to a foreign HGV by a police officer attending the scene:
	
		
			 Accidents 
			 Accidents (a) 2008 (b) 2009 
			 On motorways(1) 6,317 5,830 
			 Of which involved a foreign registered HGV assigned the contributory factor “vehicle blind spot” 143 155 
			    
			 Proportion involving a foreign registered HGV (percentage) 2 3 
			 (1) Includes only accidents where a police officer attended the scene and in which a contributory factor was reported.

Motor Vehicle: Testing

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate the effects of moving to MOT inspections every two years for private vehicles on the number of (a) vehicles that fail MOT tests, (b) collisions or incidents due to unsafe vehicles, (c) deaths and serious injuries through road accidents and (d) garages and MOT test stations; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Penning: holding answer 3 May 2011
	I intend to review the MOT test scheme. I want to make sure that a review takes account of all the latest information available to us. To that end, we have recently published the results of independent research the Department commissioned to examine how vehicle defects affect accident rates, and to consider the potential road safety impact of changing the frequency of the MOT. The ‘Effect of Vehicle Defects in Road Accidents’ report can be found at:
	http://www.trl.co.uk/library/reports_publications/latest_publications/
	This research will be a useful addition to other information we will be gathering through the review process, including on the impacts on garages and MOT stations.

Motor Vehicles: Insurance

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will discuss with representatives of the insurance industry the effects of the cost of car insurance for young drivers on the take-up of such insurance; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Penning: I am keen to work with the insurance industry to look at new approaches to reduce the impact of high insurance costs on young drivers and the Department for Transport is planning seminars with key stakeholders to discuss this.

Regional Airports

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what discussions he has had the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the co-ordination of Government policy on regional airports;
	(2)  which regional airports he has visited to discuss co-ordination of Government policy since 12 May 2010;
	(3)  what discussions he has had with the Mayor of London on Government policy on regional airports.

Theresa Villiers: Department for Transport Ministers attend various meetings with Ministers in other Departments, the operators of regional airports and the Mayor of London, where they discuss a range of issues including Government policy on aviation.
	The Government have announced their intention to develop a sustainable policy framework for UK aviation. On 30 March 2011, the Department for Transport published a scoping document that frames the debate on the future direction of aviation policy and asks a series of questions, including on regional connectivity and regional airports. The responses to the scoping document will help to inform the development of a draft framework, which we intend to publish for full public consultation in March 2012.

Shipping: EU Law

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will seek to amend Directive 96/71/EC in order to harmonise employment rights for EU-based seafarers with those of other EU citizens.

Michael Penning: The Department for Transport has no intention to seek an amendment to Directive 96/71/EC.

Shipping: EU Law

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his Department's policy is in respect of the exclusion of EU-based seafarers from the provisions of Directive 96/71/EC.

Michael Penning: The Government favours a level playing field across the EU for EU-based seafarers and is determined not to act in a way that compromises the UK shipping industry.

Shipping: Smoking

David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether ships under foreign flags are legally entitled to permit smoking on the bridge whilst UK pilots are present and within UK territorial waters; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Penning: There is no UK law that prohibits smoking in these circumstances. The ship's Master has prime responsibility for the day-to-day running of their vessel.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Child Support Agency

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average time taken by the Child Support Agency and the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission to close cases was in each of the last five years.

Maria Miller: The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission is responsible for the child maintenance system. I have asked the Child Maintenance Commissioner to write to the hon. Member with the information requested and I have seen the response.
	Letter from Alan Hardy
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Child Maintenance Commissioner as the Child Support Agency is now the responsibility of the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission. As the Child Maintenance Commissioner is currently on annual leave I am responding on his behalf.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average time taken by the Child Support Agency and the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission to close cases was in each of the last five years.
	We attempted unsuccessfully to seek clarification of this question from your office. We have therefore interpreted this question as the average time between a liability ending on a case (liability cancelled/withdrawn) and the conditions for closure being met and the action to close the case being taken by the Agency. A cancelled/withdrawn event on a case is the first step of the closure process. This event occurs to stop an ongoing liability on a case. A case should not be fully closed until all outstanding arrears on a case are cleared (However historically there have been system problems that have allowed this in a few cases). If no outstanding arrears exist then a case can go through the whole closure process on the same day.
	The information in the table below shows the median and mean times in each of the last five years. Robust information is not available to show the end-to-end closure process for cases administered on the CSCS computer system.
	
		
			 Time to close cases on CS2 computer system 
			 Year of closure Median average to close case (Days) Mean average to close case (Weeks) 
			 2006-07 1 28 
			 2007-08 0 15 
			 2008-09 1 26 
			 2009-10 0 22 
			 2010-11 0 34 
			 Note: Information only includes cases which are fully closed and is categorised by year of closure. 
		
	
	I hope you find this answer helpful.

Child Support Agency

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the outcome was of each child support case closed by the Child Support Agency and the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission in each of the last five years.

Maria Miller: The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission is responsible for the child maintenance system. I have asked the Child Maintenance Commissioner to write to the hon. Member with the information requested and I have seen the response.
	Letter from Alan Hardy
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Child Maintenance Commissioner as the Child Support Agency is now the responsibility of the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission. As the Child Maintenance Commissioner is currently on annual leave I am responding on his behalf.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the outcome was of each child support case closed by the Child Support Agency and the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission in each of the last five years.
	We attempted unsuccessfully to seek clarification of this question from your office. We have therefore interpreted this question as the reasons for cases administered on the CS2 computer system being cancelled/withdrawn or closed in each of the last five years. A cancelled/withdrawn event on a case is the first step of the closure process. This event occurs to stop an ongoing liability on a case. A case should not be fully closed until all outstanding arrears on a case are cleared. If no outstanding arrears exist then a case can go through the whole closure process on the same day.
	The following tables show those that are closed prior to the initial calculation and those that are closed any time post the initial calculation which could be anything from days to years.
	
		
			 Reasons for case closure prior to calculation: Current scheme CS2 system 
			 Reason for closure 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 
			 Total closures 201,300 189,300 135,000 39,300 25,100 
			 Application not pursued by applicant 29,700 23,700 26,000 28,000 21,200 
			 Application not eligible/no longer valid 10,400 10,300 6,600 1,100 1,300 
			 Welfare issues/risk of harm 6,200 4,600 1,500 0 0 
			 Reconciliation of NRP and PWC 5,900 4,300 1,500 300 200 
			 Insufficient information 1,100 0 100 0 0 
			 Application superseded by new claim 19,700 40,400 32,900 9,600 2,300 
			 Casebuild terminated 107,000 94,700 52,300 0 0 
			 Other/missing 21,400 11,400 14,100 200 100 
		
	
	
		
			 Reasons for case closure following calculation  : Current s  cheme CS2 system case previously paid 
			 Reason for closure 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 
			 Total closures 16,300 21,700 34,300 36,200 31,300 
			 Application not pursued by applicant 4,600 5,900 12,600 15,100 10,700 
			 Application not eligible/no longer valid 6,500 9,500 14,000 15,000 15,900 
			 Welfare issues/risk of harm 100 100 0 0 0 
			 Reconciliation of NRP and PWC 3,500 4,000 4,600 4,100 3,100 
			 Insufficient information 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Application superseded by new claim 700 1,300 1,400 400 100 
			 Casebuild terminated 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Other/missing 800 1,000 1,700 1,600 1,500 
		
	
	
		
			 Reasons for case closure following calculation: Current scheme CS2 system case not previously paid 
			 Reason for closure 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 
			 Total closures 3,500 4,500 5,700 6,500 4,700 
			 Application not pursued by applicant 1,000 1,300 2,100 3,200 2,400 
			 Application not eligible/no longer valid 1,100 1,400 1,900 2,100 1,500 
			 Welfare issues/risk of harm 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Reconciliation of NRP and PWC 600 700 600 700 400 
			 Insufficient information 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Application superseded by new claim 400 900 600 200 100 
			 Casebuild terminated 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Other/missing 400 300 500 400 300 
			 Notes: 1. Robust information is not available for cases closed on the CSCS computer system. 2. Figures include cases that have been cancelled/withdrawn or closed. 3. Closures as above, though completed by a case worker, can be initiated by either the CS2 system or the user themselves. Where case workers initiate closures, the closure reason is selected from a pre-defined list. As this is subjective, in some instances the selected reason may not reflect the actual reason for closure. 4. Closure reasons ‘Casebuild Terminated’ and ‘Insufficient Information’ should only be relevant to applications closed during the application process. All other closure reasons can be used prior or following a successful application. 5. Casebuild terminated refers to Jobcentre Plus applications received prior to the repeal of Section 6. 6. Figures rounded to 100. 7. Cases that have closed following calculation which have previously paid only includes cases which have had a payment or a maintenance direct arrangement recorded on the CS2 computer system. As this excludes payments made off system the number of cases may be under stated. 
		
	
	I hope you find this answer helpful.

Child Maintenance

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what discussions he has had with the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Division of the Northern Ireland Executive on the Government's proposals for child maintenance reform.

Maria Miller: Officials from the Department for Work and Pensions and the Child Maintenance Enforcement Commission regularly meet colleagues from the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Division and Department for Social Development to discuss child maintenance related issues including plans for reform.
	The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Division also participates in internal Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission meetings charged with preparing for the introduction of the reforms, so are integrated into the processes for implementing the Government's proposals.

Child Maintenance

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has for reform of the child maintenance system; and he will make a statement.

Maria Miller: The Child Maintenance Green Paper:
	“Strengthening families, promoting parental responsibility: the future of child maintenance”
	http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/strengthening-families.pdf
	was published on 13 January 2011 and the consultation exercise ran until 7 April. This paper sets out the Government's proposals for the reform of the entire child maintenance system including the statutory maintenance scheme.
	We are now considering the responses received and will issue a Government response to the consultation later this year.

Departmental Pay

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what additional pay he plans to provide to officials in his Department in the period from 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2013 to reflect (a) seniority, (b) promotion and (c) performance.

Chris Grayling: The Department for Work and Pensions is currently in the second year of a two-year pay freeze for all employees earning over £21,000 (full time equivalent). DWP will come out of the pay freeze for grades below senior civil service (SCS) in July 2012 and any additional pay in future years will be informed by Treasury guidance, affordability and be subject to negotiation.
	SCS base pay is frozen until March 2013.
	DWP pays officials a salary to reflect their position and responsibility within the organisation. It does not make additional payments according to seniority and has no plans to do so.
	Where an individual is promoted they will receive an increase in their existing salary by 10% of their existing pay or the amount needed to take their salary to their new pay band minimum, whichever is the greater. This is in accordance with current departmental policy and there are no plans to change this.
	The Department operates two performance related award schemes for employees below senior civil service (SCS)—an end of year performance award and an in-year award scheme.
	The payment of in-year awards is discretionary and enables managers to reward and incentivise exceptional contribution to business performance. These have been in place since April 2003 and continue.
	SCS performance payments are awarded as part of the annual review of SCS pay in accordance with Cabinet Office guidance. For 2011 the Cabinet Office has announced that only the top 25% of performers will receive performance-related payments. There are cash ceilings on these awards:
	£10,000 for Deputy Directors (PB1)
	£12,500 for Directors (PB2)
	£15,000 for Directors General (PB3)
	£17,500 for Permanent Secretaries

Disability Assessments

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans his Department has for processing disability assessments for young disabled people; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Miller: Over the past 18 months the Pension, Disability and Carers Service has tested a revised disability living allowance claim form for disabled children, improved impairment-specific medical guidance and revised processes. The claim form and guidance were considered a significant improvement by both customers and staff. Following the success of the test, PDCS now plans to adopt the approach nationally. Implementation will take place during the next few months.

Disability Living Allowance

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many claims for disability living allowance there have been in each year since 1992; how many such claims are in respect of children; what the cost was to his Department of such payments in each year; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Miller: The information is not available in the format requested.
	We are unable to say how many claims for disability living allowance there have been for each year since 1992 as records only go back to April 2001. We are also unable to tell the right hon. Gentleman how many claims are in respect of children. The information on numbers of claims which is available is contained in the following table:
	
		
			 DLA claims 
			  Number 
			 2001-02 408,000 
			 2002-03 433,000 
			 2003-04 442,000 
			 2004-05 428,000 
			 2005-06 431,000 
			 2006-07 431,000 
			 2007-08 448,000 
			 2008-09 472,000 
			 2009-10 483,000 
			 2010-11 441,000 
			 Total 4,417,000 
			 Notes:  1. The figures include DLA new claims and claims made under the DLA Special Rules.  2. Figures have been rounded to the nearest thousand.  Source:  DLA Management Information Statistics. 
		
	
	Information on expenditure and caseload going back to 1992 is contained in the following tables. Some management information on numbers of claims is available but not by age group.
	
		
			 DLA expenditure, real terms 2011-12 prices 
			 £ million 
			  Children Working age Pension age Total 
			 1992-93 373 1,990 814 3,177 
			 1993-94 510 2,722 1,113 4,345 
			 1994-95 563 2,992 1,267 4,821 
			 1995-96 656 3,535 1,512 5,703 
			 1996-97 641 4,110 1,753 6,504 
			 1997-98 689 4,357 1,935 6,981 
			 1998-99 730 4,497 2,111 7,337 
			 1999-2000 767 4,614 2,281 7,661 
			 2000-01 811 4,796 2,468 8,074 
			 2001-02 880 5,046 2,672 8,599 
			 2002-03 965 5,197 2,766 8,928 
			 2003-04 977 5,403 2,955 9,335 
			 2004-05 1,009 5,544 3,125 9,678 
			 2005-06 1,087 5,730 3,324 10,140 
			 2006-07 1,107 5,832 3,483 10,422 
			 2007-08 1,151 6,051 3,717 10,920 
		
	
	
		
			 2008-09 1,191 6,247 3,896 11,334 
			 2009-10 1,260 6,650 4,223 12,133 
			 Notes:  1. Figures may not sum due to rounding.  2. More detailed DWP benefit expenditure information can be found at: http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd4/index.php?page=expenditure 3. Expenditure for 2010-11 is not yet available.  Source:  DWP Statistical and accounting data 
		
	
	
		
			 DLA caseloads 
			  Children Working age Pension age Total numbers 
			 August:     
			 1992(5) 95,600 557,100 290,600 1,049,100 
			 1993(5) 125,500 793,700 354,100 1,279,800 
			 1994 142,900 895,600 397,700 1,436,300 
			 1995 161,800 1,020,100 445,800 1,627,800 
			 1996 177,600 1,128,400 495,800 1,801,900 
			 1997 196,100 1,236,200 550,500 1,982,800 
			 1998 206,500 1,275,300 591,600 2,073,400 
			 1999 215,400 1,301,000 628,900 2,145,300 
			 2000 225,100 1,329,400 669,300 2,223,800 
			 2001 238,000 1,388,300 711,700 2,337,900 
			 2002 256,280 1,468,930 729,120 2,454,340 
			 2003 268,330 1,532,040 733,170 2,573,540 
			 2004 278,000 1,578,950 815,210 2,672,160 
			 2005 285,010 1,609,360 855,110 2,749,480 
			 2006 289,940 1,632,630 891,710 2,814,290 
			 2007 298,420 1,672,780 938,780 2,909,980 
			 2008 308,630 1,710,390 980,630 2,999,650 
			 2009 320,140 1,756,730 1,019,430 3,096,300 
			 2010 330,530 1,800,140 1,045,540 3,176,200 
			 Notes:  1. Figures from August 1992 to August 2001 are taken from 5% sample data. They have been uprated to be consistent with WPLS data and are rounded to the nearest 100. Figures from August 2002 onwards are taken from WPLS 100% data and are rounded to the nearest 10.  2. Figures show the number of people in receipt of an allowance and exclude people with entitlement where the payment has been suspended, for example if they are in hospital.  3. Constituencies used for August 2010 are for the Westminster Parliament of May 2010. Prior to this the constituencies used are for May 2005.  4. These figures are published at: http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/index.php?page=tabtool 5. State pension age. The age at which women reach state pension age will gradually increase from 60 to 65 between April 2010 and April 2020. This will introduce a small increase to the number of working age benefit recipients and a small reduction to the number of pension age recipients. Figures from May 2010 onwards reflect this change.  6. Data extracts from earlier years (August 1992 and 1993) have a large number of cases with unrecorded ages. For August 1992 this accounts for 105,900 cases; for August 1993 this had dropped to 6,500 cases.  Source:  DWP Information Directorate: 100% Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study (WPLS) and WPLS 5% sample data.

Employment and Support Allowance

Anne Begg: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate his Department has made of the proportion of claimants who will cease to receive contributory employment and support allowance (ESA) payments having received them for a year, but will not qualify for income-based ESA or any other income replacement benefits in April 2012.

Maria Miller: As part of the Welfare Reform Bill, we have set out our intention to introduce a time limit of one year for those claiming contributory employment and support allowance (ESA) and who are placed in the Work Related Activity Group (WRAG) from April 2012.
	Current estimates suggest that of those affected by the proposal to time limit contributory ESA, it is expected that around 60% will be fully or partially compensated by income-related ESA. A further 20% are expected to be eligible for pension credit, housing benefit, council tax benefit or tax credits. The remaining 20% will not be eligible for income replacement benefits. However, people in this situation will generally either have a working partner or capital over £16,000 so will not be left without resources.
	The estimates are subject to change as more information on customers in the Work Related Activity Group becomes available.

Employment and Support Allowance: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Ian Swales: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his policy is on measures to ensure that people with myalgic encephalomyelitis who are unable to work are not required to undertake unsuitable work or work-related activity.

Chris Grayling: holding answer 17 May 2011
	We recognise that ME has a wide spectrum of symptoms and can be a severely debilitating condition. The effects of ME on an individual may contribute to someone meeting the entitlement conditions for benefits.
	When someone's health condition or disability, or the treatment they are receiving, makes it unreasonable to expect them to work we are committed to supporting them. The appropriate benefit in such cases is employment and support allowance (ESA). Entitlement to ESA is based on an individual's functional ability rather than the condition itself. Anyone claiming ESA will undergo the work capability assessment. Those with the most severe functional limitations will be placed in the Support Group, for which the undertaking of work related activity is not a requirement.
	People with limited capability for work will be placed in the Work-Related Activity Group. These individuals may be required to undertake work-related activity, detailed in their action plan, which must be reasonable in their circumstances. If they feel the requirement on them is unreasonable, they will be able to request the activity is reconsidered. Advisers will not be able to direct people on ESA to seek, apply for or do work, nor will they be directed to undertake medical treatment.

Employment and Support Allowance: Visual Impairment

Gregg McClymont: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the effect of the Employment and Support Allowance (Limited Capability for Work and Limited Capability for Work-related Activity) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 228, 2011), laid by his Department on 16 February 2011 on the numbers of blind and partially sighted individuals eligible for employment and support allowance.

Chris Grayling: In March 2010, the Department published a Department-led review of the work capability assessment. This made recommendations for improving the work capability assessment including making greater provision for individuals awaiting or in between courses of chemotherapy, those receiving residential treatment for drug or alcohol misuse and individuals with severe mental health conditions or communication difficulties. The review also made recommendations to take greater account of how an individual has adapted to their condition and to simplify some of the descriptors. These changes came into force on 28 March 2011.
	The initial estimates predicted that overall the changes would result in a five percentage point increase in the proportion of new claims to employment and support allowance assessed as fit for work and a half a percentage point increase in the proportion assessed to be in the support group. More information can be found in the impact assessment that accompanied the regulations at:
	http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/wca-ia-eia.pdf
	The estimates were not broken down by particular health conditions so the expected effect of these changes on the eligibility of blind and partially sighted individuals is not available.
	Data on the results of the work capability assessments completed since 28 March are not yet available, but the Department will continue to monitor the outcomes of work capability assessments.

Housing Benefit

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people receiving (a) housing benefit but not council tax benefit, (b) council tax benefit but not housing benefit and (c) housing benefit and council tax benefit have benefit withdrawal rates of more than 40% against marginal income.

Steve Webb: The following table provides the number of working age customers who are employed and in households receiving HB and/or CTB with marginal deduction rates (MDRs) of more than 40%.
	
		
			 Benefit MDR > 40% (Number) 
			 HB only 400,000 
			 CTB only 100,000 
			 HB and CTB 200,000 
			 Notes: 1. The numbers are rounded to the nearest 100,000. 2. The numbers are for 2008-09. 3. Due to the impact on the marginal deduction rates, these numbers exclude households with disabled adults or children, students and those who report self-employed income or who are not in employment. Source: The Department's Policy Simulation Model (version 10.2.0)

Housing Benefit: Disability

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many disabled tenants in social housing which his Department's Equality Impact Assessment estimates will be affected by his proposed changes to eligibility for housing benefit in cases of under occupation are estimated to be in receipt of disability living allowance.

Steve Webb: Using the Department's Policy Simulation Model, we estimate that around 200,000 households are likely to be affected by the introduction of the size criteria in the social rented sector in 2013-14 where either the claimant or their partner are in receipt of disability living allowance.
	However, there are certain households included within the 200,000 which may not be affected by the size criteria changes. These are households where the claimant is either entitled to an additional bedroom for a non-resident carer providing overnight care, or is living in certain types of supported accommodation.
	For other households, local authorities can consider a discretionary housing payment based on the tenant's individual circumstances.
	Notes:
	1. The figures have been produced using the Policy Simulation Model, using 2008-09 reference data from the Family Resource Survey.
	2. The figure has been rounded to the nearest 10,000.
	3. The methodology is consistent with that used in the Equality Impact Assessment of the size criteria for claimants living in the social rented sector, published in March 2011.
	4. Households are considered in receipt of disability living allowance where either the claimant or partner is in receipt of either the care or mobility component of disability living allowance regardless of the rate at which it is paid.

Jobcentre Plus: Manpower

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  if he will estimate the factor by which the number of sanctions issued with respect to each working age benefit by each Jobcentre Plus office has changed in each quarter since the final quarter of 2009-10;
	(2)  how many sanctions were applied with respect to each working age benefit by each Jobcentre Plus office in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) the first three quarters of 2010-11.

Chris Grayling: Information by individual office is not available. The available information for jobseeker's allowance sanctions by Jobcentre Plus district has been placed in the Library. Sanctions data for income support and incapacity benefit sanctions are not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Information on employment support allowance sanctions will be available for the first time on 18 May 2011.

Poverty: Children

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to address child poverty; and what arrangements he has made to assess progress towards the Government's objectives on child poverty.

Maria Miller: The Government's child poverty strategy was published on 5 April, and can be found at:
	www.education.gov.uk/childpovertystrategy
	The strategy embodies our determination to tackle child poverty, as set out in the coalition's Programme for Government. It sets out how our radical reform programme will help to transform people's lives and break cycles of disadvantage.
	Our strategy focuses on the most vulnerable groups in society recognising that to help children who live in poverty we must reform welfare to make work pay and help those who are struggling to enter the labour market. We will give dignity to those who cannot be expected to work by bringing forward proposals to reform disability payments. For those who are able to work, we will provide targeted help to get the best outcomes for them and their families.
	We will do all in our power to increase the life chances of children by supporting vulnerable families through expanding the network of health visitors, targeting child care for the most disadvantaged and investing in early intervention. By increasing standards in education, we will raise children's aspirations and narrow the gaps in attainment which play such a crucial role in defining children's future lives.
	The strategy sets out a new, broader approach to measurement that goes beyond a narrow focus on income targets. We will develop better ways to measure poverty, including responding to Frank Field's recommendations on severe poverty and life chances indicators, to better capture the experience of living in poverty and reflect the Government's overarching commitment to increasing social mobility.

Poverty: Children

Jonathan Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of progress towards the four child poverty targets defined in the Child Poverty Act 2010; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Miller: The most recently published figures are set out in the following tables 1 and 2. They show that there are still 2.6 million children in relative poverty in the United Kingdom. The gap between the poorest and richest in our society has accelerated over the last five years despite £150 billion having been spent on tax credits alone since 2003-04 leaving Britain more divided than it has been in a generation because of a failure to tackle the root causes of poverty.
	On 5 April, the Government published the first national child poverty strategy, ‘A New Approach to Child Poverty: Tackling the Causes of Disadvantage and Transforming Families' Lives’. This strategy draws together policies from right across Government, as well as looking at the role of partners outside of national government, which will act together to tackle the causes and effects of child poverty. The strategy illustrates our radical new approach, including key structural reforms, to get to the root of tackling child poverty.
	The Government remain committed to their goal of eradicating child poverty by 2020.
	
		
			 Table 1: The number and percentage of children living in (a) relative poverty (before housing costs) (b) absolute poverty (BHC) and (c) low income (BHC) and material deprivation in financial year 2009-10 
			  Number (million) Percentage 
			 (a) Relative poverty 2.6 20 
			 (b) Absolute poverty 1.4 11 
			 (c) Low income and material deprivation 2.0 16 
			 Notes: 1. These statistics are based on Households Below Average Income (HBAI) data sourced from the Family Resources Survey (FRS). These use disposable household income, adjusted using modified OECD equivalisation factors for household size and composition, as an income measure as a proxy for standard of living. They cover the United Kingdom. The Households Below Average Income report can be found at: http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/index.php?page=hbai 2. All estimates are based on survey data and are therefore subject to uncertainty. Small differences should be treated with caution as these will be affected by sampling error and variability in non-response. 3. The reference period for Households Below Average Income figures are single financial years. 4. Numbers of children in low-income households have been rounded to the nearest 100,000, while proportions have been rounded to the nearest percentage point. 5. These statistics are based on incomes before housing costs. 6. Each of the measures is defined as: Relative poverty: children living in households with less than 60% of contemporary median household income before housing costs Absolute poverty: children living in households with less than 60% of 1998-99 median household income before housing costs held constant in real terms. The 2020-21 target will be measured against median income in 2010-11 held constant in real terms. Low income and material deprivation: children living in households with less than 70% of contemporary median household income before housing costs who also experience material deprivation. Source: Households Below Average Income, DWP 
		
	
	
		
			 Table 2: The percentage of children living in persistent poverty (before housing costs) in the period 2005-08 
			  Percentage 
			 Persistent poverty 12 
			 Notes: 1. These statistics are taken from the DWP publication, ‘Low Income Dynamics 1991-2008’ based on data from the longitudinal British Household Panel Survey (BHPS) run by the University of Essex Institute for Social and Economic Research. They cover Great Britain. The Low Income Dynamics report can be found at: http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/index.php?page=lid 2. The table shows the percentage of children who are below the 60% of median income in at least three out of four years in a series of consecutive four year periods. This is the definition of persistent poverty used in the Child Poverty Act 2010. 3. Low Income Dynamics 1991-2008 does not provide an estimate of the number of children this is. The four targets in the Act are based on proportions. 4. The table presents results on the persistence of low income on a Before Housing Costs (BHC). However the housing costs in the BHPS differ from ones used in the Households Below Average Income publication. The BHPS defines housing costs as simply as weekly gross housing costs recorded on the BHPS. Rents include service and water charges, but these are excluded the housing costs of mortgage payers. In addition, BHPS includes both repayments and interest in the housing costs of the mortgage payers where as the HBAI exclude the repayments from housing costs. 5. Proportions of children living below 60% of median income in at least three out of four years have been rounded to the nearest percentage point. Source: Low Income Dynamics 1991-2008, DWP

Social Security Benefits: Autism

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department takes to support (a) people diagnosed with autism and (b) their families in the delivery of its services.

Maria Miller: In the Pension, Disability and Carers Service (PDCS) we have existing specific learning provided by the Professionalism in Decision Making and Appeals (PIDMA) body within the former Disability and Carers Service (DCS). The course is Understanding Working Age and Child Customers which has a section on understanding the impact of a learning disability specifically covering Autistic spectrum disorders. This course is for all appropriate disability living allowance and attendance allowance decision making staff and covers all the issues to consider when deciding on entitlement to the benefit.
	Additionally we are currently building a modified and updated version of that learning product for our local service customer liaison managers (CLMs) to reflect their newly widened responsibilities for dealing with visits, where required, to all of the Department's “vulnerable client groups”. CLMs have received the existing PIDMA course above in the interim as part of the preparation for implementation of the new service. The new course is intended to build on that by providing learning more specifically tailored to visiting officers and part of a whole suite of new learning products for Local Service to be delivered from autumn 2011 onwards. Consequently, this learning does cover the issues visiting officers need to cover with the families of children with Autism. For example, topics included are:
	Common:
	Identifying needs that might arise from childhood impairments
	Understanding developmental milestones in childhood and how these are taken into account in assessing needs arising from disability
	Describing issues that might arise during visits to households with a disabled child
	Providing guidance in the completion of the DLA claim pack
	Specifically included in the course covering "Autistic Spectrum Disorders" are:
	Parents' attitude/concerns/protection of their disabled child.
	Discuss stereotyping—The living arrangements of the family what difference does this make?
	The grief/loss cycle and its impact on parents/making a claim for DLA.
	Tips for dealing with emotional customers
	Empathy—What is it? How to use empathy
	Local Service is the only direct customer facing service within PDCS. All other customer interaction is via correspondence, telephone or the internet with the sole exception of dealing with certain complaints, where face to face contact is required.
	Disability living allowance is paid on the basis of a persons need for help with care and mobility. It is not, in general, paid in respect of a particular diagnosis such as Autism. decision makers from the Pension, Disability and Carers Service, make decisions based upon the information supplied by the customer, in many cases using supporting evidence, for example a factual report from the applicants GP, to determine whether the applicants care and/or mobility needs are sufficient to justify an award.
	Jobcentre Plus is committed to providing individual tailored support to customers with autistic spectrum conditions using our services. We make required reasonable adjustments, including making use of the most suitable environment or premises for conducting interviews. Where individual customers ask us to we work with their families and representatives to facilitate access and participation with our services.
	Where family members are carers Jobcentre Plus will help support them so they are not forced into hardship by their role. Our Care Partnership Managers help develop services for carers by working in partnership with relevant organisations, assessing demand for support and encouraging the development of local services such as replacement care. They ensure advisers have comprehensive up to date knowledge, skills and local information in order to provide effective support for carers who would like to combine work with their caring responsibilities.
	We ensure our advisers are aware of the need to make suitable adjustments for people with autistic spectrum conditions. Our specialist disability employment advisers receive additional skills training including provision about autism.
	Our Raising The Game On Disability Seminars also promote disability awareness and confidence and are available to all Jobcentre Plus staff. The seminars feature advice on working with customers with Autism.
	In addition, if a person is in receipt of attendance allowance or disability living allowance care component at the middle or highest rate, a second person, who may or may not be a family member, may be able to claim carer's allowance provided they satisfy the conditions of entitlement.
	In the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission (CMEC) one of the Commission's values is being client focused. In order to provide a first class service, we need to ensure our services are accessible to clients. At the point that they first contact the Commission, clients are asked about their specific requirements to enable them to access Commission services.
	This information is taken from our ‘Single Equality Scheme 2010 to 2013’ which is published on the Commission's website.

Social Security Benefits: Suicide

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what (a) guidance has been issued and (b) training is provided to staff of his Department on dealing with claimants who make threats of suicide; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Grayling: Since the Department was formed, there has been a range of guidance, advice and training for staff on how to deal with customers who make threats of suicide or say they intend to harm themselves.
	Prior to 2004, Jobcentre Plus staff were provided with written advice from DWP occupational psychologists.
	In 2004 to 2005 guidance on how to manage customers who were indicating they may commit suicide was included in the Pathways to Work training for Jobcentre Plus staff.
	In 2006 the DWP occupational psychologist team published a guide for staff on how to respond appropriately to customers who were intending to harm themselves.
	In 2008 the Mental Health Coordinator role was introduced and “Introduction to Mental Illness” training was developed. This training, which is intended for all staff, includes a section on “responding to suicide declarations”.
	This guidance was revised in March 2011 to form a new DWP policy framework on "Managing customers' suicide and self harm declarations". The framework summarises the plans and procedures that must be in place, as well as current best practice, advice and guidelines. The new guidance was issued to all DWP staff on 30 March to ensure that all staff who work with customers are aware of how to respond appropriately in such situations.

Universal Credit

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what terms of reference his Department has agreed with the Social Security Advisory Committee on its review of passporting arrangements under universal credit; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Grayling: The Minister for Welfare Reform, my noble Friend Lord Freud of Eastry, has formally commissioned the Social Security Advisory Committee to carry out an independent review of passported benefits and the links with universal credit and we will produce a written ministerial statement with the terms of reference shortly.

TREASURY

Child Tax Credit: EU Nationals

David Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of people from other EU countries who have made fraudulent claims for child tax credits in the latest period for which figures are available.

David Gauke: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) do not keep records of the levels of error and fraud within working tax credit and child tax credit by country or nationality.

Commodity Markets

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the potential long-term effect on global commodity prices of trends in the economies of (a) Brazil, (b) the Russian Federation, (c) India and (d) China.

Justine Greening: The effect on commodity prices of economic growth in emerging economies is widely acknowledged. The Chancellor has used analysis from leading economic organisations such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the International Energy Agency (IEA) on this issue.

Corporation Tax

William Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment he has made of the extent of avoidance of corporation tax by businesses trading in the UK.

David Gauke: Corporation tax is chargeable on the taxable profits of liable companies and organisations based in the UK and on the taxable profits arising from the UK activities of liable non UK based companies and organisations.
	HMRC estimate that the annual corporation tax gap as a result of avoidance by businesses managed by HMRC's Large Business Service was £2.9 billion in 2008-09. This estimate was published in ‘Measuring Tax Gaps 2010'
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/measuring-tax-gaps-2010.htm.pdf
	in September 2010. The Large Business Service is responsible for over 770 of the largest businesses that pay a significant proportion of the total business taxes and duties that HMRC collects.
	In addition, HMRC published an illustrative estimate of £0.7 billion for the annual corporation tax gap in 2008-09 due to avoidance by large and complex businesses. These businesses are smaller than those managed by the Large Business Service but have annual turnover in excess of £30 million or have at least 250 employees.
	An estimate of the corporation tax gap due to avoidance by small and medium-sized businesses has not been produced.

Departmental Billing

Gordon Banks: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many invoices his Department received in respect of goods or services supplied by tier 1 suppliers between 1 May 2010 and 1 April 2011; and how many of those invoices were not paid within the period of time specified in the Government's Fair Payment guidance;
	(2)  what mechanism his Department has established to ensure its payments are passed through the supply chain to each tier in accordance with the last date for payment defined in the Government's Fair Payment guidance.

Justine Greening: The Fair Payment guidelines cover payments in respect of construction contracts. The Treasury does not currently have any contracts relevant for the purposes of the guidelines.

Departmental Correspondence

David Winnick: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 13 May 2011, Official Report, column 1391W, Members: correspondence, what the reasons were for the time taken to transfer the letter from the hon. Member for Walsall North to the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Danny Alexander: The Treasury received the letter on 26 April and confirmed transfer on 11 May, within eight working days.

EU Budget

Graham Stringer: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the likely effect on the future level of UK contributions to the EU budget of implementation of the European Commission's proposals for the future own resources of the EU.

Justine Greening: The European Commission has yet to issue formal proposals for the 2014-20 Multiannual Financial Framework. However, the UK Government are not in favour of the introduction of an EU tax directly to fund the EU budget. The UK continues to defend the principle of tax sovereignty.
	Projections for UK's gross and net contributions to the EU budget are provided by the Office for Budget Responsibility in its Economic and Fiscal Outlook. The latest publication (March 2011) is available online at:
	http://budgetresponsibility.independent.gov.uk/econ-fiscal-outlook-march.html

Income Tax: Tax Rates and Bands

Conor Burns: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his Department assessed the merits of raising the top rate of income tax to a rate higher than 50 per cent.

David Gauke: In an age when businesses, capital and people are increasingly mobile, high tax rates send a negative signal to individuals and businesses who are looking to work and invest in the UK. The Government believe 50% rate would do lasting damage to the UK's economy if it were to become permanent.
	That is why the Chancellor made clear in his Budget 2011 speech that the 50% rate is a temporary measure, and has asked HM Revenue and Customs to assess the revenue it raises when self assessment data for the 2010-11 tax year are available.

Income Tax: Tax Rates and Bands

Conor Burns: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate his Department made of the revenue implications for the Exchequer of raising the top rate of income tax from 40 per cent. to (a) 41, (b) 42, (c) 43, (d) 44, (e) 45, (f) 46, (g) 47, (h) 48, (i) 49 and (j) 50 per cent.

David Gauke: The Exchequer costs of increasing the higher rate of tax for income tax can be approximated from Table 1.6 ‘Direct effects of illustrative tax changes’, available on the HM Revenue and Custom's website at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/tax_expenditures/table1-6.pdf

Income Tax: Tax Rates and Bands

Conor Burns: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what analysis his Department undertook of the potential revenues to be raised from the setting of the 50 per cent. top rate of income tax.

David Gauke: The estimated Exchequer yield from the additional rate of tax was published by the previous Government in Table A11 of March 2010 Budget, available at:
	http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100407010852/http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/budget2010_annexa.pdf

Oil: Prices

Jesse Norman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to mitigate the effects on consumers of high oil prices.

Justine Greening: In recognition of high current oil prices, fuel duty was cut by 1p per litre on Budget day (23 March 2011). The planned 2011-12 increase will be deferred to 1 January 2012. In addition, the previous Government's fuel duty escalator has been abolished and replaced with a fair fuel stabiliser.
	As a result of this measure, pump prices could be approximately 6.7p per litre lower than under the fuel duty escalator by 2015-16. This reduction in price will help mitigate the impact of high oil prices on consumers.

Revenue and Customs: Training

Greg Knight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost to his Department was of training for HM Revenue and Customs staff in self-defence techniques in 2010-11; what type of training is provided; and who provides such training.

David Gauke: holding answer 16 May 2011
	Only a small proportion of HMRC officers receive physical self-defence training. The total number is approximately 1,250 individuals, some 2% of total HMRC staffing.
	The vast majority of those who receive training do so because they are required to conduct arrests using the powers contained in the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, or equivalent powers in Northern Ireland and Scotland. The remainder are trained because the risk assessment relating to their work indicates that such training is necessary for their own safety.
	The Department currently has eight senior instructors, who are trained by the National Police Improvement Agency (NPIA) in the Association of Chief Police Officers-approved Personal Safety Techniques curriculum. This incurred a one-off cost of approximately £1,500 per senior instructor. By successfully completing this training, these officers are accredited “trainers of trainers”, so they are able to train and accredit other HMRC staff to act as instructors. The Department currently has approximately 50 such instructors, a number of whom are currently under training.
	All of the techniques taught are within the ACPO approved Personal Safety Training manual. However, only the techniques appropriate to HMRC officers' roles and powers are taught.
	The costs to HMRC for this training fall under two general headings: payments to the NPIA for the training of senior instructors; and payment for the hire of suitable venues to carry out the training. In 2010-11, the Department paid approximately £6,000 to the NPIA for the training of four senior instructors, and £32,250 to various venues, mainly private gymnasiums.

Tax Avoidance

John McDonnell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he has taken to counter tax avoidance since May 2010; when his Department last discussed the Government's tax avoidance policies with (a) the HM Revenue and Customs and (b) officials from the Public and Commercial Services Union; and how many meetings he has had since May 2010 with hon. and right hon. Members at which tax avoidance policy was discussed.

David Gauke: The Government are committed to tackling tax avoidance and since May 2010 has set out their strategic approach and explained action being taken to put it into practice in the Budget document "Tackling Tax Avoidance" available at:
	http://cdn.hm-treasury.gov.uk/2011budget_taxavoidance.pdf
	The Government have also shown their strong support for HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) in its operational work by providing investment of £917 million over the spending review period to tackle avoidance, evasion and criminal attack with the objective of bringing in around £7 billion per year in additional revenue by 2014-15.
	HM Treasury Ministers frequently discuss tax policy issues with HMRC officials and work closely with HMRC on the issue of tax avoidance.
	HM Treasury Ministers and officials also have meetings with a wide variety of organisations as part of the process of policy development and delivery. It is not the Government's practice to provide details of such meetings.

Tax Avoidance

John McDonnell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his most recent estimate is of the tax gap; and when he next plans to make such an estimate.

David Gauke: HMRC's most recent estimate of the tax gap is £42 billion for 2008-09. This was published in 'Measuring Tax Gaps 2010' in September 2010
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/measuring-tax-gaps-2010.htm.pdf
	An estimate of the tax gap for 2009-10 will be published in 'Measuring Tax Gaps 2011' later this year.

Tax Collection

Priti Patel: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what guidance his Department has given to HM Revenue and Customs on maximising the collection of tax revenues.

David Gauke: In my remit letter to HM Revenue and Customs for 2011-12, I set out the key priorities I expect the Department to focus on in the coming year. My letter makes clear that the highest of these priorities continues to be HMRC's role as the administrator and collector of tax revenues that fund the UK's public services and help reduce the deficit. This includes the Department's commitment to deliver an additional £7 billion per annum by 2014-15 in tax revenues from an increased focus on tackling non-compliance, evasion and avoidance.
	HMRC's remit letter can be found on HMRC's website at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/about/ls-remit-letter.pdf

Tax Yields: Financial Services

Alistair Darling: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the total tax take of (a) income and (b) corporation tax was received from the financial services industry in (i) 1979-80, (ii) 1987-88, (iii) 1992-93, (iv) 1997-98, (v) 2001-02, (vi) 2006-07 and (vii) 2009-10.

David Gauke: holding answer 16 May 2011
	The information requested has been compiled from published sources and is set out in the tables.
	Income tax
	Figures are available for Pay-As-You-Earn Income Tax deducted from pay. The proportions shown in the following table are based on the Standard Industrial Classification. This has changed over time meaning that figures are not directly comparable across years.
	
		
			 Pay-As-You-Earn income tax deducted from pay 
			  Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) base used Financial sector share (percentage) 
			 1979-80 SIC 1968—Insurance, banking and finance 6.1 
			    
			 1987-88 SIC 1980—Banking finance and insurance 7.0 
			 1992-93 SIC 1980 7.4 
			    
			 1997-98 SIC 2003—Financial intermediation 11.6 
			 2001-02 SIC 2003 13.3 
			 2006-07 SIC 2003 14.6 
			    
			 2009-10 — n/a 
			 n/a = Not yet available. Note: Excludes national insurance contributions and tax on pensions collected through PAYE. Also excludes income tax not collected through PAYE, for example collected through Self Assessment. Sources: Inland Revenue Statistics and HMRC Statistics (various editions) 
		
	
	Corporation tax
	The following table shows the proportion of net receipts relating to financial sector both including and excluding life assurance. The breakdown is based on HMRC's Summary Trade Classification. An industry breakdown for corporation tax is not available for years prior to 2000-01.
	
		
			 Corporation tax net receipts 
			 Percentage 
			  Proportion of net receipts from the financial sector 
			  Excluding life assurance Including life assurance 
			 2001-02 25 33 
			 2006-07 24 27 
		
	
	
		
			 2009-10(1) 13 16 
			 (1) The figures for 2009-10 are subject to change as payments originally made in respect of a group of companies are re-allocated to individual companies within the group. Note: The table excludes advance corporation tax. Source: Calculated from figures in Table 11.1 of HMRC statistics: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/corporate_tax/table11_1.pdf

Taxation: Aviation

Graham Stringer: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his policy is on proposals for an EU-wide flight tax to supplement the contributions of member states to the EU budget.

Justine Greening: The European Commission has yet to issue formal proposals for the 2014-20 Multiannual Financial Framework. However, the UK Government are not in favour of the introduction of an EU tax directly to fund the EU budget. The UK continues to defend the principle of tax sovereignty.

Taxation: Land

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  pursuant to the answer of 23 November 2010, Official Report, column 285W, on taxation: land what research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on a land value tax since the Lyons Inquiry into Local Government;
	(2)  if he will make it his policy to introduce a land value tax; and if he will make a statement.

David Gauke: There has not been any further research since the Lyons Inquiry and there are no plans to implement a land value tax at this time. However, all taxes are kept under review as part of the Budget process.

Trade Unions

Dominic Raab: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff of (a) his Department, (b) the Asset Protection Agency and (c) the UK Debt Management Office are entitled to work (i) full-time as trade union representatives and (ii) part-time on trade union activities; how many such staff are paid more than £25,900 annually; and what the cost to the public purse of employing such staff on such duties was in the latest period for which figures are available.

Justine Greening: HM Treasury has one member of staff, who spends 60% (full-time equivalent) of their time working as a trade union official. As fewer than five staff are employed to work as union officials it is not HM Treasury policy to provide salary information that could be attributed to an individual.
	The Asset Protection Agency has no staff engaged as trade union representatives.
	The UK Debt Management Office has no formal union recognition so no staff are employed on trade union activities.

Welfare Tax Credits: Expenditure

Angela Eagle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to table 4.15 of the Economic and Fiscal Outlook of the Office for Budget Responsibilities, what expenditure on each tax credit scheme is represented by the figure given for overall tax credit expenditure.

David Gauke: holding answer 26 April 2011
	The information requested can be found in table 2.9 (rows 20 to 23) at the following:
	http://budgetresponsibility.independent.gov.uk/wordpress/docs/obr_fiscal_supplementary_tables1.xls

BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS

Agricultural Products: EU External Trade

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what (a) tariff and (b) non-tariff barriers discouraging agricultural imports to the EU from (i) Algeria, (ii) Morocco, (iii) Egypt and (iv) Tunisia he has identified.

Edward Davey: A range of tariff and non-tariff barriers apply to agricultural imports to the EU from Algeria, Morocco, Egypt and Tunisia. Tariff barriers are governed by bilateral Association Agreements between the EU and the respective countries, and vary considerably product-by-product and country-by-country. Limited agricultural tariffs remain for Egypt for example, which finalised a revised Association Agreement in 2010 whereas Algeria has yet to negotiate substantial revisions and so faces higher tariffs. Key non-tariff barriers remain for all countries including seasonal restrictions, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standards, complex rules and regulations, and weak trade facilitation.

Arms Trade: Export Controls

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills when he plans to publish the next quarterly Country Pivot Report on strategic export controls.

Mark Prisk: The next quarterly Country Pivot Report on strategic export controls covering data for licences issued, refused and revoked is due to be published in week beginning 4 July. This report will cover data from January to March. Thereafter data are published with a three month time-lag i.e. data covering April to June are due to be published in October and so on.

Departmental Billing

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many invoices his Department received in respect of goods or services supplied by tier 1 suppliers between 1 May 2010 and 1 April 2011; and how many of those invoices were not paid within the period of time specified in the Government's Fair Payment guidance.

Edward Davey: Between 1 May 2010 and 1 April the Department paid 61,837 invoices. Of these, 51 invoices were not paid within the 30 calendar day target and 3,013 invoices were not paid within the aim of paying 80% of all invoices in five working days.

Departmental Billing

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what mechanism his Department has established to ensure its payments are passed through the supply chain to each tier in accordance with the last date for payment defined in the Government's Fair Payment guidance.

Edward Davey: The Department works closely with its tier 1 suppliers to ensure that payments are passed through the supply chain by:
	reviewing payment performance of tier one suppliers as part of the standard contract management process;
	ensuring tier 1 suppliers include in the relevant contract a provision which requires the tier one supplier to pay any tier two suppliers within 30 days; and
	enabling tier 2 suppliers to report any concerns they feel have not been adequately addressed direct to the Department or via the Office of Government Commerce's supplier feedback process.

Departmental Data Protection

Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many contracts his Department holds which allow contractors to store personal data of UK citizens overseas; to which contracts this applies; in which countries the data for each such contract is held; and how many people have their data stored overseas under each such contract.

Edward Davey: The Department is unable to state categorically the contracts or contractors which allow the storage of personal data overseas. Information and communications technology and estate contracts are managed centrally and, for those, we are not aware of any personal data being stored overseas. As all other contracts are not managed or held centrally, the detailed information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Pay

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what additional pay he plans to provide to officials in his Department in the period from 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2013 to reflect (a) seniority, (b) promotion and (c) performance.

Edward Davey: The Department entered the two-year civil service-wide pay freeze for staff outside the senior civil service (SCS) in 2010. However, this Department received legal advice that showed that one of the two pay systems in operation in the Department includes a contractual entitlement to progression. The Department is currently considering what will be paid to staff under these arrangements during 2011-12. The final settlement which will cover (a) seniority, (b) promotion and (c) performance is unknown yet as it subject to negotiations with our trade unions. Future pay proposals are subject to the Treasury's annual civil service pay guidance.
	For the senior civil servants in this Department, the two-year pay freeze applies for 2011-12 and 2012-13 so they will not receive payments to reflect (a) seniority.
	(b) The Department's SCS current pay on promotion policy is an uplift of base pay of 10% on promotion to the next higher pay band. This policy will continue for 2011-12 but future plans for 2012-13 have not yet been decided.
	(c) The Department follows a framework for SCS pay set out by Cabinet Office. Non-consolidated performance payments are usually made to reflect retrospective performance in the previous appraisal year. This Department has not yet determined the level or distribution of these awards within this framework for 2011-12. Future SCS pay proposals are subject to annual Cabinet Office guidance.

Foreign Investment in UK

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what progress the Government has made in securing greater inward investment to (a) England and (b) the UK.

Mark Prisk: holding answer 12 May 2011
	In the financial year 2009/10, the UK attracted a total of 1,619 Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects, down by 7% on 2008/09. Within this total, 1,409 projects were in England, down by 9% on 2008/09. This performance is against the backdrop that global investment flows declined by approximately 40% in 2009/10.
	Within the overall total of 1,619 FDI projects into the UK in 2009/10, UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) assisted a total of 759 projects, confirmed as locating or expanding in the UK up by 26% on 2008/09.
	Within the overall UK total of 759 UKTI assisted projects in 2009/10, 701 FDI projects were confirmed as locating or expanding in England also up by 26% on 2008/09.
	The Inward Investment results for the UK for the financial year 2010/11 will be announced on 12 July 2011.

Higher Education: Admissions

David Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much funding he plans to allocate to advertising campaigns aimed at persuading students to take up places in higher education in 2011-12.

David Willetts: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) considers it essential to ensure that prospective students and their families know about the full package of support available, to support access to higher education.
	BIS has allocated the amount of £1.475 million to the recently launched information campaign aimed at potential students considering entering university from September 2012.
	The Student Loan Company has been allocated some £1.3 million in the current financial year to provide information, advice and guidance aimed at informing and encouraging potential students to apply for the student support available from September.

Higher Education: Private Sector

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department have met representatives of any company providing for-profit higher education in the United States since his appointment; whether they have met representatives of (i) Bridgepoint, (ii) Lincoln, (iii) Kaplan, (iv) Corinthian, (v) Apollo, (vi) Kaiser, (vii) Education Management Corporation, (viii) Rasmussen, (ix) Career Education Corporation and (x) Westwood in that period to discuss possible operations in the UK; and if he will make a statement.

David Willetts: holding answer 17 May 2011
	I have met representatives of Apollo Group Inc. Separately, I have met representatives of Kaplan UK and Kaplan Europe but not their US parent corporation, Kaplan Inc. I have also met a representative of Education Management Corporation. I have not held official meetings with representatives of the other specific bodies referred to.
	The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, the right hon. Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable), and I meet regularly a wide range of providers of higher education in the UK and internationally as part of our efforts to encourage a more diverse and competitive higher education sector in England. The Department does not hold comprehensive information on whether higher education providers which, Ministers have met, are classed as for-profit or not-for-profit institutions. A quarterly-updated list of all BIS ministerial meetings with external organisations is also available at:
	http://data.gov.uk/dataset/disclosure-ministerial-external-meetings-department-for-business

Higher Education: Procurement

Jonathan Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the implications for the university sector of the recent Supreme Court judgment in the case of Brent borough council and others v. Risk Management Partners Limited.

David Willetts: Universities are autonomous bodies and they will wish to consider the implications of this ruling for the ways they procure insurance and other services.

Industrial Disputes

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the number of hours of work lost as a result of industrial action in each year since 1997.

Nick Hurd: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated May 2011
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what estimate he has made of the number of hours of work lost as a result of industrial action in each year since 1997.
	Monthly statistics on the number of labour disputes are available in table 20 of the Statistical Bulletin for Labour Market statistics at:
	www.statistics.gov.uk
	However, ONS does not produce figures on the number of working hours lost over this time period. The table below contains the latest, statistics available, which give the number of working days lost per year as a result of labour disputes since 1997.
	
		
			  Total number of working days lost in year (  T  housand) 
			 1997 235 
			 1998 282 
			 1999 242 
			 2000 499 
			 2001 525 
			 2002 1,323 
			 2003 499 
			 2004 905 
			 2005 157 
			 2006 755 
			 2007 1,041 
			 2008 759 
			 2009 455 
			 2010 365 
			 Source: ONS Labour Disputes Inquiry

Intellectual Property and Growth Review

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he has received the report by Professor Ian Hargreaves on his Review of Intellectual Property and Growth; and when he plans to publish that report.

Edward Davey: The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, my right hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable), received the report by Professor Ian Hargreaves on his Review of Intellectual Property and Growth.
	I am pleased to confirm that the Secretary of State and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the right hon. Member for Tatton (Mr Osborne), published the Review of Intellectual Property and Growth yesterday; copies were placed in both Libraries of the House.

Intellectual Property and Growth Review

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will schedule publication of his Department's response to the Review of Intellectual Property and Growth by Ian Hargreaves to enable scrutiny of the review by select committees and others to be taken into account in the response.

Edward Davey: The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, my right hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable), and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the right hon. Member for Tatton (Mr Osborne), published the Review of Intellectual Property and Growth (“the Hargreaves Review”) yesterday; copies were placed in both Libraries of the House.
	The Government will publish their substantive response before the parliamentary recess. That substantive response will reflect the need for any further consultation. We do not believe the timing of the Government's response will prevent any interested party, including Select Committees, from scrutinizing the Hargreaves Review itself.

New Businesses

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent steps his Department has taken to encourage new business start-ups.

Mark Prisk: The coalition Government are committed to creating the right long-term environment to help many more people start and grow their enterprise. That is why the Government have:
	Introduced a package of reform to reduce rates of corporation tax, including cutting the small profits rate from 21% to 20% from 1 April 2011;
	Introduced a regional national insurance holiday worth up to £50,000 for new businesses;
	Increased the point at which employers start to pay national insurance contributions, benefiting employers by over £3 billion a year from 2011-12; and
	Expanded the planned new enterprise allowance, to help the unemployed become self employed.
	Furthermore, we are significantly changing the way help and advice is provided to business. This Department has engaged across Government and with the private sector to develop and communicate the specific support that will help start-ups, including:
	A user friendly range of on-line tools, audio-visual training and checklists to support people wanting to start-up, tested by business customers and building on the current businesslink.gov.uk offerings, including key elements of starting up such as business planning, as well as tax calculators and other useful guides. This will be available from November 2011;
	A new national contact centre for those who cannot access the information they need on the website also available from November;
	A network of up to 40,000 experienced business mentors offering practical advice to existing businesses and people who want to start a business; and
	Establishing Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) that will develop links to existing private sector provision for business support, including start-ups, and to encourage their use. In the Budget 2011 it was also announced that 21 enterprise zones will be created across England and they will seek to stimulate selected areas of the country through tax breaks, reduced planning restrictions and "superfast" broadband.

Overseas Students

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his Department is taking to support universities to attract students from (a) Brazil, (b) the Russian Federation, (c) India and (d) China.

David Willetts: Universities in the UK are autonomous and develop their own strategies for competing in the global student market, and are extremely competent at doing so. The world-class reputation that the higher education (HE) sector enjoys means that the UK attracts more students to study here than any country other than the US. The Government works with and supports the British Council overseas to promote the UK as a study destination.
	The Department is working closely with other Whitehall Departments and partner organisations, including the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, to develop a strategic approach to international education and skills. The International Education and Advisory Forum, which I chair, brings together key players in this arena. Through this forum, education and skills action plans will be developed for priority countries, such as Brazil, Russia, India and China, based on an analysis of the commercial, educational, and political opportunities each present.
	Globalisation of higher education, including the importance of international student recruitment, is one of the areas to be covered in the forthcoming HE White Paper.

Overseas Students: Entry Clearances

David Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills when he expects the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education and Ofsted to commence the access to education accreditation process for those higher education institutions with highly trusted status whose intake of students for September 2011 has been frozen because of the non-availability of such accreditation in the current academic year.

Damian Green: I have been asked to reply.
	The Home Office, Department for Business Innovation and Skills and Department for Education are working with the relevant inspection and review bodies to finalise arrangements for the new educational accreditation regime, and will announce further details shortly.

Post Offices

Owen Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills 
	(1)  how many sub-post offices have changed ownership since May 2010;
	(2)  how many post offices have closed since May 2010.

Edward Davey: The information requested is an operational matter for Post Office Ltd. I have therefore asked Paula Vennells, the managing director of the Post Office Ltd, to respond directly to the hon. Member and a copy of her reply will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Post Offices: Bank Services

Owen Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what plans he has for the future availability of banking facilities via the Post Office network.

Edward Davey: We set out our policy on the future of the Post Office network in our statement “Securing the Post Office Network in the Digital Age”, published on 9 November 2010. In this statement we were clear that we will support the Post Office as it expands further into financial services through the provision of new products and as it aims to increase access to UK current accounts through the Post Office network.

Postal Services

Gregg McClymont: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the number of access points for postal services required to meet the needs of the public.

Edward Davey: Under the Postal Services Bill, Ofcom will have a duty to carry out their functions in a way that they consider will secure the provision of sufficient access points to meet the reasonable needs of users. It is expected that in fulfilling that duty, Ofcom will conduct thorough research and analysis, and will consult users in order to take their views into account. Any assessment by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills will be informed by Ofcom's analysis.

Regional Growth Fund

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills in which (a) regional and (b) local enterprise partnership area each successful bid approved in the first round of the Regional Growth Fund is based.

Mark Prisk: holding answer 4 May 2011
	Successful bids from Round 1 of the RGF have been announced. 50 bids have been given conditional allocations, subject to due diligence, totalling just over £450 million; 27,000 direct jobs created and safeguarded; and 100,000 indirect jobs.
	The following list gives details a more detailed breakdown:
	East Midlands and South East Midlands:
	South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEP): one successful bid
	Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire LEP: one successful bid
	Leicester and Leicestershire LEP: one successful bid
	North East:
	North Eastern LEP: 11 successful bids
	Tees Valley LEP: five successful bids
	North West:
	Cheshire and Warrington LEP: one successful bid
	Greater Manchester LEP: four successful bids
	Liverpool City Region LEP: four successful bids
	South East and East of England:
	Kent, Greater Essex and East Sussex LEP: one successful bid
	South West:
	Heart of the South West LEP: two successful bids
	West of England LEP: one successful bid
	One successful bid not in a LEP
	West Midlands:
	Coventry and Warwickshire LEP: two successful bids
	Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP: one successful bid
	Stoke and Staffordshire LEP: two successful bids
	Worcestershire LEP: one successful bid
	Yorkshire and Humber:
	Leeds City Region LEP: five successful bids
	Sheffield City Region LEP: one successful bid
	One successful bid not in a LEP
	Other bids— national :
	Two national bids not in a single LEP
	Total = 50 bids.

DEFENCE

Armed Forces: Young People

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 27 April 2011, Official Report, column 417W, on armed forces: young people, if he will write to hon. Members outlining the guidelines and procedures specifically covering the care and welfare of those under the age of 18 in the armed forces.

Nick Harvey: The document entitled, “Policy on the Care of Service Personnel under the Age of 18”, is available in the Library of the House (Reference DEP 2009-0737).

EU Defence Policy

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the outcomes of the EU Military Committee meeting with Chiefs of Defence from EU member states on 3 May 2011; what framework is in place for the pooling and sharing of military resources across the EU; what access to UK military resources he has given to other EU countries; and if he will make a statement.

Gerald Howarth: The EU Military Committee meeting with Chiefs of Defence on 3 May 2011 covered two main topics: capabilities and operations. The session on capabilities focused wholly on pooling and sharing of military capabilities, where member states showed broad support for the initiative. Chiefs of Defence also discussed current operations.
	Although work is under way in the EU and NATO to improve the transparency of current pooling and sharing activities among member states and to generate opportunities for the pooling and sharing of military capabilities in the future, there is no specific framework in place in Europe for the pooling and sharing of military resources. Decisions concerning military capabilities to be pooled and shared are subject to, and potentially constrained by, matters of national sovereignty. Although the work is being co-ordinated by these institutions, we are clear that the initiative must be member state driven, and conducted voluntarily.
	As at 12 May 2011, the UK contributes to the following military Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions: Operation ALTHEA (peacekeeping in Bosnia), Operation ATALANTA (counter-piracy off Somalia) and EUTM Somalia (training Somali security forces in Uganda).

Defence and Diplomacy

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of the relative merits of (a) hard and (b) soft power.

Gerald Howarth: The National Security Strategy and Strategic Defence and Security Review took decisions on defence, security, intelligence, resilience, development and foreign affairs capabilities in the round. Since this Government took office the Ministry of Defence has reinvigorated its focus on the role which defence diplomacy can play in promoting the United Kingdom's interests.

Libya: Armed Conflict

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many missions the (a) Nimrod R1, (b) Sentinel R1, (c) VC-10 and (d) C-130 have flown in Operation Ellamy.

Liam Fox: Up to 8 May 2011 the UK has flown the following sorties in support of Operation Ellamy:
	
		
			 Aircraft type Number of sorties  (1) 
			 VC10 110 
			 C130 15 
			 Nimrod 20 
			 Sentinel 50 
			 (1) Numbers are rounded to the nearest five.

Libya: Armed Conflict

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many sorties have been flown over Libya by UK armed forces; and in how many such sorties weapons have been deployed.

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many sorties the (a) GR4 Tornado and (b) Typhoon has flown in Operation Ellamy; what type of mission was flown in each case; and how many weapons of each type were released;
	(2)  how many dual mode Brimstone missiles have been used by UK forces in Operation Ellamy to date.

Liam Fox: Up to 8 May 2011 the UK has flown about 300 GR4 Tornado and 140 Typhoon sorties as part of Operation Ellamy. Both aircraft types have conducted missions to protect civilians in support of UN Security Council Resolution 1973, and the Typhoons have also conducted missions in support of no-fly zone enforcement.
	In all, approximately 240 weapons have been fired by these aircraft during these missions. These were a combination of Dual Mode Seeker Brimstone and Storm Shadow missiles, Enhanced Paveway II and Paveway IV Precision Guided Munitions. I am unable to provide a breakdown of these figures for reasons of operational security.

Libya: Armed Conflict

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 27 April 2011, Official Report, column 418W, on Libya: armed conflict, whether officials of his Department have had discussions with their counterparts in (a) the US Administration and (b) Governments of other countries that are part of the coalition for military action in Libya on policy on the use of depleted uranium weapons; whether his Department has received any reports on the use of depleted uranium weapons by coalition partners; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Harvey: Defence officials routinely undertake policy discussions with their counterparts in foreign Governments across a full range of issues, including matters relating to Libya. It would not be appropriate to disclose details of these discussions or any official reporting received from Governments in the coalition for military action in Libya.
	As I have stated previously, it is a matter for other nations to decide for themselves what weapons they deploy. The UK is not itself using depleted uranium weapons in Libya.

Strategic Defence and Security Review

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress he has made towards achieving the non-frontline savings identified in the Strategic Defence and Security Review; and if he will make a statement.

Liam Fox: holding answer 4 April 2011
	The outcomes of the Strategic Defence and Security Review including the actions required to achieve savings of £4.3 billion in the non-frontline formed the basis of the Department’s annual Planning Round (PR) 11 and PR 12, which is under way. As part of this process we keep a range of options under consideration regarding future spending.

USA: Military Bases

Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the 1973 Cost Sharing Agreement with the US concerning US military bases in Great Britain.

Nick Harvey: I am withholding the 1973 UK/US Cost Sharing Arrangement concerning US military bases in the UK, as its disclosure would or would be likely to prejudice relations between the United Kingdom and another state.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Departmental Mobile Phones

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the name is of each contractor or supplier of (a) mobile telephone and (b) mobile data services to his Department.

Alan Duncan: The Department for International Development's (DFID's) UK mobile telephones and mobile data services are provided by Vodafone. Overseas offices have devolved responsibility for purchasing mobile telephones and mobile data services. Collating the information on the providers used by the Department's overseas offices would incur disproportionate cost.

Ethiopia: Overseas Aid

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which civil society organisations in Ethiopia his Department consulted in the course of its bilateral aid review; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Mitchell: The Government work with a wide range of local and international civil society organisations (CSOs) in Ethiopia, including Oxfam, Plan International, Save the Children and WaterAid. We routinely engage with these partners to share information and to discuss current issues and programmes. During the Bilateral Aid Review, we used this ongoing dialogue to discuss DFID's evolving priorities and programme and invited CSOs to discuss these at a more detailed, technical level.
	As our programme in Ethiopia evolves, DFID will forge new partnerships with the private sector and others, and our existing partnerships with CSOs will need to become more focused on selected issues of mutual interest and achieving results.

Overseas Aid

Jonathan Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps he takes to ensure that his Department's bilateral aid is used for the purposes for which it is intended.

Alan Duncan: The Government have rigorous systems and procedures to ensure effective financial oversight of its funding and to ensure that aid achieves maximum value for money and delivers results for its intended recipients.
	We subject all UK aid to rigorous financial auditing, monitoring and evaluation processes. For all grants provided by the Department for International Development (DFID), we require evidence about the use of funds from the partners' own audited accounts, or other audited arrangements as agreed. DFID requirements are built into the funding agreement which details: the annual audit requirements; the monitoring and review requirements; and the option for the Government to take any reasonable and necessary steps to address the situation in the event that there is any significant failure in the commitments set out in the agreement.
	For all new UK aid programmes approved from January this year, the Government have also modified the way DFID programmes are designed so that they are based on rigorous evidence of what works and what maximises value for money and results through the introduction of a business case model. All DFID projects are scored annually against expected results. Under the new Aid Transparency Guarantee we will ensure business cases for all projects as well as annual reviews and project completion reports are published on the DFID website so they can be scrutinised by the British taxpayer.
	The National Audit Office audits DFID's accounts and scrutinises our systems for ensuring effective management and proper use of the development budget. We have also created a new Independent Commission for Aid Impact, the first of its kind, which is able to scrutinise any area of UK bilateral and multilateral aid spending.

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Oil Refineries

Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps he is taking to provide incentives for investment in oil refineries.

Charles Hendry: The Government recognise the important role of the refining sector in the UK's economy and seek to ensure that the right conditions exist to attract and retain investment. We welcome the recent investment announcements for Grangemouth, Pembroke and Stanlow refineries which show the long-term vitality of the sector. We work closely with the industry and its representatives to understand the impact of policy on the sector.

Offshore Wind Capacity

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what target he has set for the amount of electricity to be generated by offshore wind capacity by 2020.

Charles Hendry: The UK National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP) published in July 2010 set out an illustrative breakdown of the final shares of different types of renewables technology in 2020. The precise breakdown of the 2020 renewable energy target between technologies will depend on how investors respond to the support we have put in place.

Carbon Emissions

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the Carbon Trust's analysis of trends in total UK emissions including imports up to the 2020s; if he will request the Committee on Climate Change to investigate the issue of outsourced emissions; and what action his Department is taking to address such emissions.

Gregory Barker: DECC recognise the importance of the impact on emissions of the whole life cycle of the products we consume, and the increasingly global nature of supply chains means that there is a more and more complex picture of where in the life history of a product the emissions actually arise. The Government's Sustainable Consumption Programme is working to identify and help reduce the lifecycle carbon and other environmental impacts that are associated with UK consumption, wherever in the world those impacts occur.
	However, the approach agreed internationally—under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto protocol—is for countries to work towards emission reduction targets related to direct emissions within their territories.
	DECC is pushing strongly at the international level for an ambitious global agreement on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which will ensure that action is taken to tackle climate change regardless of where products are produced.
	The work programme for the Committee on Climate Change is planned and managed through an annual business planning process agreed between the Government, devolved Administrations and the CCC. The Government have no immediate plans to ask the CCC to undertake work on embedded emissions.

Carbon Emissions

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the contribution to global carbon emissions attributable to (a) Brazil, (b) the Russian Federation, (c) India and (d) China (i) in 1990, (ii) on the most recent date for which figures are available and (iii) in 2020.

Gregory Barker: There are a number of sources of information on greenhouse gas emissions in Brazil, Russia, India and China. Official inventory figures submitted to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Secretariat are available for 1990 emissions in Brazil and Russia, and also for 2005 and 2008 respectively. The World Resources Institute Climate Analysis Indicators Tool database may be used for estimated totals for China and India in 1990 and provides an estimate for China in 2005. India's Ministry of Environment and Forests has provided national emissions inventory figures for 2007.
	With regard to projections for 2020, the 2010 UNEP Emissions Gap Report provides median 2020 projections for these and other countries across 13 models.
	The information from these sources is summarised in the following tables:
	
		
			 (i) 1990 Greenhouse gas emissions 
			 Country Total greenhouse gas emissions (excluding LULUCF) (MtCO  2  e) Total greenhouse gas emissions (including LULUCF) (MtCO  2  e) Data source 
			 Brazil 600 1,400 UNFCCC 
			 China 3,600 3,800 CAIT 
			 India 1,100 N/A CAIT 
			 Russian Federation 3,300 3,400 UNFCCC 
		
	
	
		
			 (ii) Recent emissions data 
			 Country Total greenhouse gas emissions (excluding LULUCF) (MtCO  2  e) Total greenhouse gas emissions (including LULUCF) (MtCO  2  e) Data source Year 
			 Brazil 900 2,200 UNFCCC 2005 
			 China 7,200 7,200 CAIT 2005 
			 India 1,900 1,250 India Environment Ministry 2007 
			 Russian Federation 2,200 1,600 UNFCCC 2008 
			 Note: Figures for emissions from land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) data are not available for India in 1990. Data sources for (i) and (ii): UNFCCC national communications: http://unfccc.int/ghg_data/items/3800.php World Resources Institute (WRI) Climate Analysis Indicators Tool (CAIT): http://cait.wri.org India's Ministry of Environment and Forests: Greenhouse Gas Emissions 2007: http://moef.nic.in/downloads/public-information/Report_INCCA.pdf 
		
	
	
		
			 (iii) 2020 projections 
			  Business as usual Assuming Copenhagen Accord pledges are met in full 
			 Country Total greenhouse gas emissions (including LULUCF)   (MtCO  2  e) Total greenhouse gas emissions (including LULUCF)   (MtCO  2  e) 
			 Brazil (1)2,700 1,700 
			 China 12,600 11,500 
			 India 3,400 (2)2,800 
		
	
	
		
			 Russian Federation 2,500 2,500 
			 (1) In December 2010 Brazil published the BAU they intend to use as the basis of their pledge (Presidential Decree No. 7390), which is 3,200 MiC02e in 2020. (2) This assumes that India achieves its National Action Plan on Climate Change. Data sources for (iii): United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP): The Emissions Gap Report: http://www.unep.org/publications/ebooks/emissionsgapreport/ Note that these figures are the median 2020 projections across the 13 models used in this report. Copenhagen Accord country mitigation pledges are listed on the UNFCCC website: http://unfccc.int/meetings/cop_15/copenhagen_accord/items/5262.php

Committee on Climate Change

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the recommendations of the Fourth Report of the Committee on Climate Change; and if he will make a statement.

Gregory Barker: As the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, my right hon. Friend the Member for Eastleigh (Chris Huhne), announced on 17 May 2011, Official Report, columns 176-77, and in line with the recommendations of the Committee on Climate Change, the Government have proposed setting a legally binding target for greenhouse gas emissions for the fourth Carbon Budget period of 2023 to 2027 of 1950 MtCO2e—a 50% reduction on 1990 levels. In agreeing with the Committee's recommendations the Government are delivering on their promise to be the greenest Government ever.

Trade Unions

Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many staff of his Department are entitled to work (a) full-time as trade union representatives and (b) part-time on trade union activities; how many such staff are paid more than £25,900 annually; and what the cost to the public purse of employing such staff on such duties was in the latest period for which figures are available.

Gregory Barker: The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) follows the ACAS Code of Practice “Time off for Trades Union Duties and Activities”.
	During 2010-11 one member of DECC staff was entitled to work as a full-time trade union representative and 12 members of staff were entitled to work as part-time trade union representatives.
	Eight of the 13 representatives, have a full-time equivalent salary of more than £25,900 per annum.
	The cost of employing such staff on such duties between 1 April 2010 and 31 March 2011 was around £46,000.